Date of Award

Spring 5-2025

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Education

First Advisor

Julia Kirk (Chair)

Second Advisor

Andrew Courtner

Third Advisor

Jeremy Houser

Abstract

In this qualitative case study, I aimed to discern the presence of a downward trend in the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) during the COVID-19 pandemic and receive valuable qualitative feedback from Doctor of Physical Therapy program administrators concerning the effects of COVID-19. I first reviewed the available literature, followed by an examination of first-time scores via publicly available data from the Federation of State Board of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). This was followed by the development of a qualitative research methodology, which included a targeted qualitative questionnaire with Doctor of Physical Therapy program administrators within the Appalachian region to gain an understanding of their experiences of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical therapy education and how to mitigate future effects if another pandemic were to arise. First, I discovered a downward directional trend in NPTE first-time scores for accredited programs via the publicly available FSBPT website. Following a return of responses, I found a consistent theme of COVID-19 effects on student self-efficacy, biopsychological stressors, and change in mindset that may have affected first-time scores. While limited to the Appalachian region, qualitative feedback was consistent with changes in first-time scores on the National Physical Therapy Examination before (2019), during (2020, 2021), and after (2022, 2023) the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords

Appalachian Region, COVID-19, DPT Program Administrators, National Physical Therapy Examination, Physical Therapy, Qualitative Feedback

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