Population Health, Prevention, Health Promotion, and Wellness Competencies in Physical Therapist Professional Education: Results of a Modified Delphi Study

Abstract

Objective Physical therapists are well positioned to meet societal needs and reduce the global burden of noncommunicable diseases through the integration of evidence-based population health, prevention, health promotion, and wellness (PHPW) activities into practice. Little guidance exists regarding the specific PHPW competencies that entry-level clinicians ought to possess. The objective of this study was to establish consensus-based entry-level PHPW competencies for graduates of US-based physical therapist education programs. Methods In a 3-round modified Delphi study, a panel of experts (n = 37) informed the development of PHPW competencies for physical therapist professional education. The experts, including physical therapists representing diverse practice settings and geographical regions, assessed the relevance and clarity of 34 original competencies. Two criteria were used to establish consensus: a median score of 4 (very relevant) on a 5-point Likert scale, and 80% of participants perceiving the competency as very or extremely relevant. Results Twenty-five competencies achieved final consensus in 3 broad domains: preventive services and health promotion (n = 18); foundations of population health (n = 4); and health systems and policy (n = 3). Conclusions Adoption of the 25 accepted competencies would promote consistency across physical therapist education programs and help guide physical therapist educators as they seek to integrate PHPW content into professional curricula. Impact Statement This is the first study to establish consensus-based competencies in the areas of PHPW for physical therapist professional education in the United States. These competencies ought to guide educators who are considering including or expanding PHPW content in their curricula. Development of such competencies is critical as we seek to contribute to the amelioration of chronic disease and transform society to improve the human experience.

Immuno-modulation with lifestyle behaviour change to reduce SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 severity: goals consistent with contemporary physiotherapy practice

“…Over the past 20 years however, the role of CLGSI in the underlying pathophysiology of NCDs has been unequivocally established [5] . In response, there has been a call within the profession to be increasingly engaged in NCD prevention as well as management, including the need for standardised health competencies [6] , [18] .…”

Health Promotion and Wellness in Neurologic Physical Therapy: Strategies to Advance Practice

“…One example highlighting the importance of crossgroup communication is the recently developed population health, prevention, and HPW competencies for entry-level DPT practice. 86 The APTAs HPW Council sponsored the development of this document and communicated it to PT educators across specialty areas. 86 At the local levels, clinicians may need to advocate with clinic administration and payers to set up processes to integrate HPW delivery models.…”

“…86 The APTAs HPW Council sponsored the development of this document and communicated it to PT educators across specialty areas. 86 At the local levels, clinicians may need to advocate with clinic administration and payers to set up processes to integrate HPW delivery models. For example, they should consider appropriate referrals, electronic documentation, and communication between providers.…”

Ergebnisse einer deutschlandweiten Umfrage über Beratung zu lebensstilbezogener Verhaltensänderung (BzlV) in der physiotherapeutischen Versorgung – eine Querschnittstudie

“…Das Konzept von Vallis et al [25,26], auf dem die vorliegende Studie aufbaut, könnte als Grundlage der Kompetenzerweiterung von PT in diesem Bereich dienen. Neben diesen Arbeiten zur Verhaltensberatung, existieren hilfreiche allgemeinere Konzepte im Bereich der Gesundheitsförderung, die ebenfalls zur Aus-und Weiterbildung von Physiotherapeut*innen herangezogen werden können [41][42][43].…”