Survey of Acute Care Core Competencies and Curriculum in Entry-Level DPT Programs in the US

Introduction: The Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy released the “Core Competencies for Entry-Level Practice in Acute Care Physical Therapy” (CC-ACPT) in 2015. There have been no known published studies investigating the incorporation of these core competencies into doctor of physical therapy (DPT) educational programs throughout the US. Methods: A survey instrument was developed, reviewed by experts, revised, and disbursed by email to faculty extracted from accredited DPT program websites. The survey queried the inclusion of the CC-ACPT, other curricular topics, the manner and method acute care curriculum is constructed, and faculty perceptions of the level of importance of core competencies domains and objectives as they pertain to education and entry-level practice. Results: Across the 5 domains of the core competencies, 10 of the 41 objectives are not included in >85% of respondents’ curricula. Responding academicians rated discharge planning as the least important and having the least confidence regarding curricular inclusion among the core competency domains. Among curricular content surveyed beyond the core competencies, specialized tests, especially pertaining to the intensive care unit, were least likely to be included. Discussion/Conclusion: As the first-known survey of acute care physical therapy curriculum, findings demonstrate that there are elements of the core competencies, published in 2015, that are still not well integrated into entry-level DPT programs. Identifying content excluded from curricula and ways to ensure dissemination of the upcoming revised essential competencies will be critical in ensuring knowledge translation, which will impact future entry-level practice.