Introduction. The transition to graduate study can be difficult for entry-level physical therapist (Doctor of Physical Therapy [DPT]) students to make. One factor that may support this transition is the development of self-regulated learning (SRL). SRL has been associated with academic success in graduate health professions programs. Despite previous academic achievement, some DPT students struggle with first semester coursework. It is unknown whether these students have adequate SRL skills. Therefore, this study examined students' perceived SRL skills on program entry. Methods. Participants enrolled in their first semester of a DPT program were recruited from a medium-sized historically minority serving institution in the Southeastern United States. Doctor of Physical Therapy students (N = 28) completed the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) instrument to discover perceived abilities in SRL. The LASSI is a valid and reliable instrument that assesses skills, strategies, and behaviors of SRL and has been used in other graduate health professions. Demographic data and LASSI scores were evaluated using descriptive statistics, and between-group comparisons were performed using nonparametric independent tests and analysis of variance. Significance was set at an alpha level of <.05. Results. Entering students perceived a need for moderate or high levels of support in most areas of SRL as measured by the LASSI. Statistically significant demographic differences in scale scores found within the cohort included minority status, undergraduate institution, and gender. Discussion/Conclusion. This study provides insights into the areas of support DPT students need for SRL that may have implications for early academic support. Diverse students may have different supportive needs. Further research is needed to discover SRL development needs in DPT students.

A.B. is a 29‐year‐old gravida 1 para 1001 who experienced recurrent lactational breast abscess requiring surgical treatment. Her obstetric, medical, surgical, family, and social histories are unremarkable. She takes no medications and does not use alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. She gave birth at 41 weeks'gestation to a female infant, weighing 8 pounds 5 ounces. Her intrapartum course and immediate postpartum course were within normal limits. Breastfeeding was initiated within 40 minutes of birth and was successful. Her infant nursed on demand approximately every 2 to 4 hours while in the hospital. A.B. was discharged home with her baby at 28 hours postpartum. On day 3 postpartum, A.B.'s left nipple became cracked and bleeding. This was self‐treated with lanolin ointment and correction of latch‐on technique. Ten days postpartum, A.B. was diagnosed with mastitis and treated with dicloxacillin for 10 days. After 8 days of antibiotic treatment, she reported continued breast pain with a firm area of exquisite pain and redness in the upper outer quadrant of her left breast. The midwife ordered a breast ultrasound which revealed a 4‐cm abscess in the left breast. A.B. was referred to a therapeutic radiologist who performed an ultrasound‐guided needle aspiration of the abscess and obtained 15 mL of fluid. The fluid culture was positive for Staphylococcus aureus. She was treated postprocedure with doxycycline, and the breast pain, firmness and redness resolved within 36 hours. The rationale for treatment with doxycycline is unknown and subject to inquiry because S aureus is not sensitive to doxycycline.1 Two weeks after the procedure, the abscess returned, and she was again treated with ultrasound‐guided needle aspiration and a regimen of amoxicillin with clavulanate. The abscess partially resolved, but worsened 6 days later. At that time, A.B. was referred to a breast surgeon who surgically incised and drained this 6‐cm abscess under general anesthesia. She was discharged home the same day with an indwelling Penrose drain. Two days later, the drain was removed and the wound was healing normally. A.B. continued breastfeeding exclusively throughout all of these events and was completely healed by 3 weeks after the incision and drainage. At 5 months postpartum, she had not experienced further breast infections and was continuing to breastfeed her baby.