Practice analysis of hand therapy.

In 1994, a practice analysis (role delineation study) was conducted on the profession of hand therapy. This study was conducted as a follow-up to the original study conducted by the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT) in 1985. A representative group of content experts developed a description of hand-therapy practice, and this description was validated using a questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of 400 certified hand therapists (CHTs), of whom 50% responded. The respondents provided confirmation of the accuracy of the description of hand therapy. The survey results were used to update the test specifications for the Hand Therapy Certification Examination. The results enabled the Hand Therapy Certification Commission to improve upon its certification program by clarifying and expanding the definition of hand therapy. The 1994 findings were also compared with the results of the 1985 study.