Transforming Physical Therapy Education Through the Use of Social Network Analysis

PURPOSE Social Network Analysis (SNA) is a quantitative method to study the patterning and effect of relationships and how individual connections form into social structures that influence outcomes of the group. The purpose of this study is to explain the underpinnings of SNA and its application to PT education for student success and faculty development. This study is innovative and will be beneficial to the profession because there is currently no published literature exploring how PT education is influenced by social structures. METHODS/DESCRIPTION The aims of this study are to describe SNA and outline its potential to transform PT education. A literature search to identify studies that provide a theoretical framework and uses of SNA was performed using the following databases: CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, MEDLINE, Scopus and ProQuest. Studies in education, organizational management, and sociology were reviewed. RESULTS/OUTCOMES Only recently has SNA been identified as relevant in medical education despite wide use in the business and military sectors. Social Network Analysis focuses on relational data that explores 1) influences of direct and indirect ties, 2) structures and composition for enhancing or constraining information spread, and 3) impact of one’s position in the network. There is evidence network size is just as important as the depth and breadth of experiences each member-connection brings. Given that education and teaching are social in nature, opportunities for the use of SNA in PT education are abundant. It could shed light on the relationships between students, faculty and even entities on social media platforms. Early network analysis of a PT cohort could transform the PT educational experience through early identification to remediate students with ineffective networks for collaboration, information sharing and support. Another application includes measuring the flow of information and noting which students are brokering information that aids in maximizing the collaborations for team-based care. An effective network could also positively impact PT faculty and may reduce tension between the requirements of teaching, scholarly activity and service for progress toward goals of promotion and tenure. Network collaboration was shown by medicine faculty to provide vital knowledge and maximizing scholarly activity. Exploring aspects of PT faculty professional networks could lead to valuable information to balance the composition of network members’ expertise and leverage connections. CONCLUSIONS/RELEVANCE The value of SNA includes the ability to quantify relationships between people and explore how connections emerge as an asset or constraint. Adding measurement of relational factors to individual information could significantly increase the evidence to guide our understanding of actions for PT students and faculty success. Currently, SNA has not been reported in PT education literature but is a methodology that will produce substantial insights to transforming PT education. FUNDING SOURCE Funding provided by the College of Allied Health Professions, University of Nebraska Medical Center and Education Section of the American Physical Therapy Associatio

Chart a Course for Holistic Admissions Transformation Using an Interprofessional Model

Implementing comprehensive holistic admissions requires schools to evaluate, and perhaps think differently, about recruitment and marketing, admission and retention practices, as well as the extent to which these practices align with the institutional mission and goals. Developing and implementing holistic admissions is time, and resource intensive and requires tremendous leadership and faculty support. This course is designed to give physical therapy educators background rationale and a formal structure to operationalize comprehensive holistic admissions, from recruitment to workforce placement, including strategies for gaining higher administration support. The Dean, former Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and Admissions Committee Chair of the College of Allied Health Professions (CAHP) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center will share their experience with developing, implementing and evaluating comprehensive holistic admissions for the entire college, consisting of 14 programs. The interactive course format will invite participants to engage the presenters as it pertains to the participants’ unique journeys with implementing holistic admission practices at their own institutions, allowing for a rich exchange of information and experiences.https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/cahp_pres/1000/thumbnail.jp

Click Here! E-Learning Modules for Innovative Instruction and Learning

Purpose: Re-designing all or portions of a course with a fresh perspective can re-energize faculty and make the content more engaging for the learner. Teaching the millennial generation is also prompting faculty to revisit educational strategies. The use of electronic learning platforms, such as eLearning modules, is an innovative learning strategy with several reported benefits including flexibility and convenience for usage, ability for learners to study at their own pace and adaptability to different learning styles. Using technology that is free or already available to faculty, even the novice designer can begin development of these useful study tools. The key to effective eLearning modules is in their design, implementation and subsequent evaluation for effectiveness. Methods and/or Description of Project: Learn from the practical experience of early adopters who will review the evidence supporting this type of delivery, the decision making process utilized to identify appropriate content areas, and provide a step-by-step template of how module development goes from a sketch and brainstormed idea to a tangible product with input from students, clinical instructors and an interprofessional peer faculty team. In addition, ideas for evaluating effectiveness will be shared based on the Pillars of Learning Effectiveness. Several exemplars of E-learning modules will be demonstrated on selected topics such as cardiopulmonary evaluation, range of motion assessment, bariatric equipment overview, and clinical education faculty development. Results/Outcomes: Use of e-learning modules has been implemented in several classes throughout the curriculum on a variety of educational topics including cardiopulmonary evaluation, range of motion examination, and overview of bariatric equipment. A module is also being developed for clinical education faculty regarding methods for providing meaningful student feedback during clinical education experiences. The preliminary data supports that learning outcomes have been achieved with high student usage and satisfaction, an improved first time lab practical pass rate with less faculty time needed for student remediation, and overall faculty satisfaction with the implementation of e-learning modules. Conclusions/Relevance to the conference theme: The Pursuit of Excellence in Physical Therapy Education: In the pursuit of excellence in physical therapy education, instructors are always looking for innovative, evidence-based instructional methods to enhance student learning and meet the needs of the millennial student. E-Learning modules utilizing interactive technology have been shown to be an effective method for improving student performance in the classroom and the clinic and overall are well received by students. These study aides are individualized, flexible, available any time on any device, align directly to learning objectives and assessment, and provide immediate feedback to facilitate student learning. This supports the APTA Education Section’s strategic plan of supporting the educator role with “evidence based teaching and learning principles, methods and strategies.

Codes of Fair Competition: The National Recovery Act, 1933-1935, and the Women’s Dress Manufacturing Industry

Controversial issues prevalent in today’s ready-to-wear apparel industry include the right of workers to join unions, the proliferation of sweatshops and sweatshop conditions, and design piracy. The idea of forming codes of conduct to establish criteria of ethical business practices is not new to the apparel industry. Indeed, the women’s dress manufacturing industry discussed and debated codes of fair competition under the New Deal Policies of the National Recovery Act (NRA) of 1933 to 1935. Primary sources for this study included governmental hearings in the establishment of the NRA Dress Code, The New York Times, Women’s Wear Daily, and the Journal of the Patent Office Society. The history of the NRA codes implemented in the U.S. women’s ready-to-wear apparel industry provides an important case study highlighting the difficulties and complexities of creating and achieving industry-wide standard practices through self-regulation. The failure of the NRA demonstrates that even with the joint cooperation of industry, labor, and consumer groups and the backing of the force of law, codes of fair competition proved impossible to enforce

Thrive: Success Strategies for the Modern-Day Faculty Member

The THRIVE collection is intended to help faculty thrive in their roles as educators, scholars, researchers, and clinicians. Each section contains a variety of thought-provoking topics that are designed to be easily digested, guide personal reflection, and put into action. Please use the THRIVE collection to help: Individuals study topics on their own, whenever and wherever they want Peer-mentoring or other learning communities study topics in small groups Leaders and planners strategically insert faculty development into existing meetings Faculty identify campus experts for additional learning, grand rounds, etc. If you have questions or want additional information on a topic, simply contact the article author or email [email protected]://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/facdev_books/1000/thumbnail.jp

Chronicling the Journey of the Society for the Advancement in Biology Education Research (SABER) in its Effort to Become Antiracist: From Acknowledgement to Action

The tragic murder of Mr. George Floyd brought to the head long-standing issues of racial justice and equity in the United States and beyond. This prompted many institutions of higher education, including professional organizations and societies, to engage in long-overdue conversations about the role of scientific institutions in perpetuating racism. Similar to many professional societies and organizations, the Society for the Advancement of Biology Education Research (SABER), a leading international professional organization for discipline-based biology education researchers, has long struggled with a lack of representation of People of Color (POC) at all levels within the organization. The events surrounding Mr. Floyd’s death prompted the members of SABER to engage in conversations to promote self-reflection and discussion on how the society could become more antiracist and inclusive. These, in turn, resulted in several initiatives that led to concrete actions to support POC, increase their representation, and amplify their voices within SABER. These initiatives included: a self-study of SABER to determine challenges and identify ways to address them, a year-long seminar series focused on issues of social justice and inclusion, a special interest group to provide networking opportunities for POC and to center their voices, and an increase in the diversity of keynote speakers and seminar topics at SABER conferences. In this article, we chronicle the journey of SABER in its efforts to become more inclusive and antiracist. We are interested in increasing POC representation within our community and seek to bring our resources and scholarship to reimagine professional societies as catalyst agents towards an equitable antiracist experience. Specifically, we describe the 12 concrete actions that SABER enacted over a period of a year and the results from these actions so far. In addition, we discuss remaining challenges and future steps to continue to build a more welcoming, inclusive, and equitable space for all biology education researchers, especially our POC members. Ultimately, we hope that the steps undertaken by SABER will enable many more professional societies to embark on their reflection journeys to further broaden scientific communities