title: The hypothesis-oriented pediatric focused algorithm: a framework for clinical reasoning in pediatric physical therapist practice.
abstract: Pediatric physical therapist practice presents unique challenges to the clinical reasoning processes of novice clinicians and physical therapist students. The purpose of this article is to present the Hypothesis-Oriented Pediatric Focused Algorithm (HOP-FA), a clinical framework designed to guide the clinical reasoning process in pediatric physical therapist practice. The HOP-FA provides a systematic, stepwise guide to the patient/client management process wherein the therapist is asked to consider various factors and issues that may affect the clinical reasoning process for a particular child and family. The framework provided by the HOP-FA is not built upon a specific therapeutic philosophy and may be useful as a tool in clinical education, in the classroom, and for clinicians who are new to or re-entering pediatric practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA. kenyonli@gvsu.edu
authors.forename: Lisa K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Kenyon
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D002648:Child; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003625:Data Collection; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D006801:Humans; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods*; D059825:Physical Therapists; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000379:methods*; D011340:Problem Solving