A Faculty Survey on Women's Health Curricular Content in Entry-Level Physical Therapy Programs

Objective: To collect faculty input on women's health content in entry-level physical therapy curricula. Study Design: In 2002, a survey was mailed to all entry-level physical therapy programs in the United States. The survey asked the faculty to determine inclusion importance for women's health content in entry-level and postprofessional curricula. Background: The original survey tool was developed to assess clinician input on women's health curricular content by Laura LaPorta Krum and Dr Susan Smith and had been distributed to a random sample of the American Physical Therapy Association, Section on Women's Health (SoWH) members in 2001. Methods and Measures: Responses from the faculty survey were compared. The faculty survey also included questions aimed to identify strategies and challenges to integrating women's health content into entry-level curricula and perceived assistance needed from the SoWH to address the identified challenges. Results: Statistical analysis revealed very little difference in responses between the 2 cohorts. A 75% cutoff was determined by data analysis to represent respondent determination of important or essential women's health content to include in both entry-level and postprofessional academic programs. Conclusions: Responses will assist a SoWH task force in developing a guideline for women's health content in entry-level physical therapy curricula. Information from this research should also assist the SoWH in addressing barriers to implementation of this content in entry-level curricula.