Robinson A J, McCall M, DePalma M T, Clayton-Krasinski D, Tingley S, Simoncelli S, Harnish L
Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences and Human Performance, Ithaca College, NY 14850.
Phys Ther. 1994 Jun;74(6):571-82. doi: 10.1093/ptj/74.6.571.
This longitudinal study investigated physical therapists' perceptions of the roles of physical therapist assistants (PTAs).
In 1986, a questionnaire describing 79 physical therapy activities was distributed to a random sample (n = 400) of physical therapists derived from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) membership. In 1992, a similar questionnaire was distributed to a representative sample (n = 400) of physical therapists derived from the APTA membership. Response rates were 53% and 55% in 1986 and 1992, respectively. Respondents indicated whether each activity was included in the documentation describing PTA roles.
Results revealed considerable agreement between therapists' perceptions of PTA roles and those outlined by PTA practice guidelines, and these perceptions changed little over time. Discriminant analyses suggested that therapists' perceptions of PTA roles were, in general, not predicted by supervisory experience with PTAs, therapist experience, or content of entry-level professional education curricula.
Generally, therapists' perceptions of PTA roles are consistent with published practice guidelines. Therapists' perceptions on selected activities, however, were incongruent with PTA practice guidelines, suggesting the potential for inefficient or inappropriate utilization of the PTA in the delivery of selected services.
本纵向研究调查了物理治疗师对物理治疗师助理（PTA）角色的看法。
1986年，一份描述79项物理治疗活动的问卷被分发给从美国物理治疗协会（APTA）会员中随机抽取的400名物理治疗师。1992年，一份类似的问卷被分发给从APTA会员中选取的400名具有代表性的物理治疗师。1986年和1992年的回复率分别为53%和55%。受访者指出每项活动是否包含在描述PTA角色的文件中。
结果显示，治疗师对PTA角色的看法与PTA实践指南所概述的看法之间存在相当大的一致性，并且这些看法随时间变化不大。判别分析表明，一般而言，治疗师对PTA角色的看法并非由与PTA的督导经验、治疗师经验或入门级专业教育课程内容所预测。
总体而言，治疗师对PTA角色的看法与已发表的实践指南一致。然而，治疗师对某些活动的看法与PTA实践指南不一致，这表明在提供某些服务时，PTA可能存在低效或不适当利用的情况。
