title: Variables influencing physical therapists' perceptions of continuing education.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  As of October 1, 2002, physical therapy continuing education (CE) in Illinois was mandated. Research examining the recent mandate for physical therapists to engage in CE is limited. The purposes of this study were to examine the perceptions of physical therapist clinicians and managers concerning the barriers to and facilitators of CE and to identify how physical therapists perceive the role of their department in the CE process.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 23 physical therapists at 6 hospitals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative methodology was used to analyze data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four themes were identified: negotiating and managing the variables associated with CE, providing and promoting opportunities that meet physical therapists' CE needs, identifying the elements of employment environments that foster CE, and perceived implications of mandating CE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This investigation highlights the need to identify the core set of variables associated with engaging in CE and to promote the elements of employment environments that foster CE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Doisy College of Health Sciences, Saint Louis University, 3437 Caroline St, St Louis, MO 63104, USA. austintm@slu.edu
authors.forename: Tricia M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.forename: Kim C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Graber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004496:Education, Continuing / Q000592:standards*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008004:Licensure / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000193:education*; D013997:Time Factors