Use of the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice by pediatric physical therapists

Pediatric physical therapists' use of support walkers for children with disabilities: a nationwide survey

PURPOSE

This study investigated pediatric physical therapists' use of support walkers (SWs) for children with disabilities.

METHODS

An 8-page survey was mailed to 2500 randomly selected members of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association. Respondents to the survey included 513 pediatric physical therapists who were users of SWs. Descriptive statistics were calculated and themes were analyzed.

RESULTS

Several SWs were reported as used most often to improve gait, mobility, participation at school, and interaction with peers. Use commonly included a month trial before purchase and 9 sessions of physical therapy to train a child for use in school. Reasons given for the use of SWs were improving impairments, functional limitations, and participation with peers.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric physical therapists use SWs to increase postural control, mobility, and children's participation in school.

Use of diagnosis and prognosis by pediatric physical therapists

PURPOSE

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.

SUBJECTS AND 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.

CONCLUSION

Despite literature on diagnosis and prognosis, PPTs continue to struggle with using these concepts in their practice.