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Introduction. Self-efficacy is believed to be a link between knowledge and the application of knowledge and skills to specific situations. No previously published survey comprehensively measures the self-efficacy of student physical therapists for the outcomes expected of entry-level physical therapists. Methods. The Self-Efficacy of Physical Therapist Student Outcomes (SEPTSO) survey was designed according to the recommended guidelines for tools measuring self-efficacy. Each of the 25 items was linked to published outcomes expected of entry-level physical therapists. Students in 3 cohorts of a 3-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program completed the online SEPTSO 3 times over the course of 1 academic year. Results. There was a statistically significant difference among the 3 cohorts in self-efficacy. 05 F 74 = 51.93, ρ < .0001, with significant differences between self-efficacy scores in the classes of DPT 3 and DPT 1 (ρ < .001) and DPT 2 and DPT 3 (ρ < .001). A 2 × 4 Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) examining the effect of age or sex found no significant main effects for age (ρ = .059) or sex (ρ = .113) and no significant interactions (ρ = .843). Cronbach's alpha was .983 for the 25 items, demonstrating excellent and significant internal validity, and the item-to-total correlation was high for each item, ranging from .981 to .983. A factor analysis resulted in a model in which 2 factors explained 71% of the variance within the factors of patient management and professionalism. Discussion. The SEPTSO survey possesses excellent content validity without bias for age or sex. The potential uses of the SEPTSO survey include program evaluation, curriculum evaluation to identify program weaknesses, accreditation, and self-reflection in students.

There is a lack of studies comparing the kinematics data of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) patients with healthy elder (HE) subjects, and when there is such research, it is not correlated to clinical measures. Objective: To compare the spatio-temporal and kinematic parameters of Parkinsonian gait with the HE subjects group and measure the relation between these parameters and clinical instruments. Method: Twelve patients with IPD and fifteen HE subjects were recruited and evaluated for clinical instruments and gait analysis. Results: There were statistically significant differences between HE group and the IPD group, in stride velocity, in stride length (SL), and in the hip joint kinematic data: on initial contact, on maximum extension during terminal contact and on maximum flexion during mid-swing. Regarding the clinical instruments there were significant correlated with in stride velocity and SL. Conclusion: Clinical instruments used did not present proper psychometric parameters to measure the IPD patient's gait, while the 3D system characterized it better. Comparação da doença de Parkinson com idosos saudáveis através da análise da marcha RESUMO Poucos estudos comparam os dados cinemáticos de pacientes com doença de Parkinson idiopática (DPI) com indivíduos idosos saudáveis, e quando realizam não correlacionam com medidas clínicas. Objetivo: Comparar os parâmetros espaço-temporais e cinemáticos da marcha na DP com os de idosos saudáveis (IS) e avaliar a relação entre estes parâmetros com os instrumentos clínicos. Método: Doze pacientes com DPI e quinze IS foram recrutados e avaliados por instrumentos clínicos e de análise de marcha. Resultados: Houve diferenças estatísticas significantes entre o grupo de IS e o de DPI na velocidade da marcha e no comprimento do passo (CP), nos dados cinemáticos das articulações do quadril: no contato inicial, na máxima extensão no apoio e na máxima flexão na oscilação. No que diz respeito aos instrumentos clínicos houve significativa correlação com a velocidade da marcha e SL. Conclusão: Os instrumentos clínicos utilizados não apresentaram adequados parâmetros psicométricos para a avaliação da marcha dos indivíduos com DPI, enquanto uma avaliação em 3D caracteriza melhor a marcha destes indivíduos. Palavras-chave: doença de Parkinson, avaliação da marcha, cinemática.

Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to determine integumentary knowledge and skill expectations experienced by 2 physical therapist graduate cohorts. Perceptions of comfort with integumentary examination, evaluation, and intervention were assessed. A secondary purpose was to inform entry-level integumentary curriculum revision. Methods: Seventy-six graduates from 2 cohorts were invited to participate in the online survey with 41 active participants. Frequency counts were determined from quantitative data and thematic coding was developed from qualitative data. Results: All but one participant indicated they met or partially met entry-level integumentary practice expectations. Participants reported negative-pressure wound therapy, paste compression wraps, and suture removal as techniques with which they felt uncomfortable. Wound examination and treatment for common etiologies, inflammation versus infection differentiation, patient education, and when to refer were topics with which participants felt the most comfortable. Curricular changes included increased practice for “uncomfortable” topics and increased exposure to patients with wounds during didactic training. Conclusion: Results offer a good example of entry-level integumentary practice expectations in Texas. Feedback regarding program weaknesses will be incorporated for the next cohort. While this study reflects early practice expectations in Texas, results could help other physical therapist programs undergoing integumentary curriculum review.

The yield of an oxide isolated bipolar technology was substantially enhanced by changing the photolithography processing at the isolation layer. Changing the exposure bias improved the Cpk by 25% and the yield by 6%. Changing to a different develop chemistry eliminated corner defects and substantially reduced fallout for leakage. Corner defects are correlated to microgrooves and protuberances in the photoresist profile. In this paper, the mechanism for the yield improvement is explained.