Use of diagnosis and prognosis by pediatric physical therapists.
OBJECTIVE
Diagnosis and prognosis are components of the Patient Client Management Model of the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice. The purpose of this study is to determine how pediatric physical therapists (PPTs) define and use diagnosis and prognosis in their practice.


METHODS
This article reports the themes revealed in answers to open-ended questions on diagnosis and prognosis (n = 7 to n = 68) in an electronic survey that was sent to PPTs who are members of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Section on Pediatrics, and non-Section members of the APTA who identify themselves as PPTs.


RESULTS
In this sample, PPTs lack consistency in their definition and use of the terms diagnosis and prognosis. Many respondents reported a level of discomfort with the relevance, utility, and usefulness of diagnosis and prognosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite literature on diagnosis and prognosis, PPTs continue to struggle with using these concepts in their practice.
Fairfax County Public Schools, Falls Church, Virginia, USA. Conniecjohnson@gmail.com
Connie C
CC
Johnson
Toby
T
Long
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011364:Professional Practice; D024382:Professional Role; D011379:Prognosis; D055815:Young Adult