Developing Self-Efficacy in Doctoral Students for Treating Patients with Hand Therapy

Abstract

In the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, the process of fabricating orthotics, including prescribing, and modifying orthotics is documented in the Physical Therapy Guide to PT Practice as an intervention that physical therapists perform with patients. However, not all DPT students are educated on the process of fabricating orthoses or know which orthosis should be recommended for a specific diagnosis. Many patients who are diagnosed with a wrist or hand condition require an orthosis as part of the appropriate treatment. The problem addressed in this study is if DPT students do not typically learn about orthotics related to patient conditions and learn the fabrication process, they have decreased self-efficacy of treating patients with wrist and hand conditions. DPT students may have a higher self-efficacy of treating patients with hand and wrist conditions if they are educated on fabricating orthoses and know which orthosis to recommend for a diagnosis. Self-efficacy involves how an individual perceives themselves succeeding in a task. Working successfully in a challenging clinical environment is dependent on a physical therapist’s self-efficacy. The purpose of this quasi-experimental pretest posttest study was to explore the benefits of educating DPT students on upper extremity orthotics and fabricating upper extremity orthotics on the affect their self-efficacy of treating patients with wrist and hand dysfunction. The research helped to answer questions related to physical therapy students’ experience of an orthotics fabrication lab and the relationship, if any, of their self-efficacy of treating patients. Data was collected using a web-based survey including the adapted Physiotherapy Self Efficacy questionnaire and a question regarding future interest in hand therapy to evaluate if a relationship exists between self-efficacy and receiving training on upper extremity orthotic fabrication. Approximately 130 participants were recruited for the study. Recommendations for implementing orthotics training for DPT students were suggested based on results. Results from this study identify strong rationale to support orthodics training; including upper extremity orthotic fabrication and training, in DPT curricula. Future DPTs can be more prepared to treat a wrist and hand caseload and have successful treatment outcomes.

Keywords: Physical therapy education, hand therapy, student engagement, orthosis patients, Bandura’s self-efficacy.

DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/14-4-02

Publication date: May 30^th 2024