Describes the planning, implementation, and evaluation of a distance learning course in pathomechanics for professional master's degree students at the University of Kentucky. Discusses special activities and problem solving as well as evaluating and comparing course outcomes. (JOW)

A survey of occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) program directors (n=123) to identify the prevalence of shared learning found that two-thirds shared some coursework; most OT and PT students do not have opportunities to practice interdisciplinary teamwork; and some perceived benefits of shared learning also posed barriers. (Contains…

Directors of 47 occupational therapy (OT) and 65 physical therapy (PT) accredited entry-level programs responded to a survey by indicating their support for inclusion of medical-legal issues in the curriculum. Only 40% of OT and 52% of PT directors believed lawyers should deliver instruction; most felt their faculty were qualified to teach these…

Reports the outcomes of a 1978 national survey of candidate selection practices in 4 baccalaureate level and 7 associate degree level allied health disciplines. Found that few programs conducted evaluation of their admissions activities and that physical therapy and dental hygiene programs were the most structured in student selection. (JOW)

Presented is an overview of the steps in the development of a competency-based curriculum and examples which apply the concepts to a physical therapy educational program. (JH)

Distance delivery in a bachelor's to master's degree program enabled 26 physical therapy students to receive degrees while working full time. According to 18 respondents, the program met goals of marketability and affordability. A few experienced technical difficulties with Internet delivery. (Contains 23 references.) (SK)

Evaluations of the academic performance of 799 University of Sydney students revealed little difference between students who had completed secondary school and those who had not (1) in the time taken to complete the program; (2) in the academic performance in 26 of 31 subjects; and (3) between male and female students. (JOW)

Multiple surveys of 48 physical therapy students measured the effects of participation in mock trials on skills for evaluating and using research. Participation resulted in increased confidence in their ability to interpret research and positive attitudes about it. (Contains 25 references.) (SK)

Occupational and physical therapy students (n=78) were assigned to pairs based on learning style (both abstract-experimentation, both reflective-observation, or mixed). On a collaborative exercise, mixed pairs did not perform significantly better than homogenous ones. Pairs' average grades correlated strongly with performance, suggesting that…

A survey assessed the financial, family, educational, and psychosocial needs of 196 nontraditional students in physical- and occupational-therapy programs. Results indicate that 65% agreed that those needs were being met. Local clinical placements and stipends were more beneficial than part-time, night, or weekend opportunities. (JOW)

Physical therapy students (n=28) completed the California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CCTDI) and California Critical Thinking Skills Test before and after the academic year and after clinical placements. Greatest critical thinking improvements occurred in truth-seeking, critical thinking self-confidence, and deduction. Student review…

Describes a competency-based, computer-managed instruction model that was developed and used in revising and managing the curricula of dietetic internship and physical therapy certificate programs. Results indicate that this approach to curriculum development is desirable and practical and has the potential for effectively serving future…

The first of three successive classes of beginning physical therapy students (n=17) completed traditional cadaver anatomy lecture/lab; the next 17 a self-study computerized anatomy lab, and the next 20 both lectures and computer lab. No differences in study times and course or licensure exam performance appeared. Computerized self-study is a…

Responses from 74 of 148 directors of accredited physical-therapy-education programs indicated the following: (1) 76-100% of chairs and faculty and 20-57% of students, alumni, and staff participate in institutional assessment; and (2) 90% of directors believed the new accreditation criteria were important guides for program effectiveness. (SK)

This study sought to determine the relative importance of values and learning preferences for educational satisfaction and to examine differences in value and learning preferences among undergraduate and graduate occupational therapy students and undergraduate physical therapy students. Graduates emphasized social values and abstract learning;…