A new practice analysis of hand therapy.
The Hand Therapy Certification Commission, Inc. (HTCC) conducted a role delineation in 2001 to characterize current practice in the profession of hand therapy. Building upon previous HTCC studies of practice (i.e., Chai, Dimick & Kasch, 1987; Roth, Dimick, Kasch, Fullenwider & Taylor, 1996), subject matter experts identified the clinical behaviors, knowledge, and technical skills needed by hand therapists. A large scale survey was conducted with therapists across the United States and Canada who rated the clinical behaviors, knowledge, and technical skills in terms of their relevance to practice, and provided information about their own patient populations. A high survey return rate (72%) was indicative of the professional commitment of CHTs to their profession. Results of the survey are discussed and practice trends are identified. A new test outline for the Hand Therapy Certification Examination was created based on the results of the survey, and the 1987 Definition and Scope of Hand Therapy was revised.
Muenzen
Patricia M
PM
Professional Examination Service, New York, New York, USA.
Kasch
Mary C
MC
Greenberg
Sandra
S
Fullenwider
Lynnlee
L
Taylor
Patricia A
PA
Dimick
Mary P
MP
D001132:Arm; D002170:Canada; D002568:Certification / Q000592:standards*; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000592:standards*; D006225:Hand; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000592:standards; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000592:standards; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000639:trends; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States