title: Integrated approaches to physical Therapy education: a new comprehensive model from the University of Illinois Chicago.
abstract: Demand for physical therapists in the United States (U.S.) is currently robust and expected to grow further. There are currently 228 physical therapy programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), and 30 more are in development in the U.S.; 29,246 students are currently enrolled in these programs (2014-2015 data). A shortage of physical therapy faculty with an advanced doctoral degree (i.e., PhD, EdD, DSc) is a primary concern for these programs. Specialized residency and fellowship training in physical therapy continue to expand, preparing professionals to deliver advanced clinical care. The American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) reports that there are currently 179 accredited residency programs and 35 accredited fellowship programs in the U.S. A number of academic physical therapy programs also currently operate a clinical faculty practice. Currently, these aspects and trends in physical therapy education, advanced training, and clinical practice, for the most part, lack synergy and connectivity, in both planning and implementation amongst the various components. This professional theoretical article describes a novel model for academic physical therapy, with potential transformative implications for entry-level physical therapy education, advanced clinical training, and academic preparation.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physical Therapy , University of Illinois , Chicago , IL , USA.
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arena
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physical Therapy , University of Illinois , Chicago , IL , USA.
authors.forename: Gay
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Girolami
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physical Therapy , University of Illinois , Chicago , IL , USA.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aruin
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physical Therapy , University of Illinois , Chicago , IL , USA.
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Keil
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physical Therapy , University of Illinois , Chicago , IL , USA.
authors.forename: Jenna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sainsbury
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physical Therapy , University of Illinois , Chicago , IL , USA.
authors.forename: Shane A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: D002641:Chicago; D003479:Curriculum; D004500:Education, Graduate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004517:Education, Professional / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships / Q000458:organization & administration; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007397:Internship, Nonmedical / Q000458:organization & administration; D017145:Models, Educational; D059825:Physical Therapists / Q000193:education* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000193:education*; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000193:education*; D016730:Program Development; D014495:Universities / Q000458:organization & administration*
keywords: Academia; clinical research; faculty practice; fellowships; residencies