Perceptions of the professional and personal impact of hybrid fellowship training: a qualitative study

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to elucidate graduate perceptions of how fellowship training impacted their post-training professional and personal lives. Methods: Interviews were conducted with 13 graduates of a hybrid (e.g. blended-learning) fellowship program. All participants were at least 1 year post completion of fellowship to limit recall bias and allow for post-training personal and professional development. Qualitative analysis was performed on interview transcriptions using directed content analysis with two coders other than the interviewers, followed by discussion until agreement was reached if there were disputes related to coding analysis. If needed, arbitration was provided from one of two interviewers. Results: Analysis revealed three primary constructs of post-fellowship impact: practical, social, and personal. Practical subthemes were centric to care delivery. Social subthemes extended to intra, inter, and non-professional connections. Personal subthemes noted professional and cognitive evolution. Discussion: Participants clearly described impact extending well beyond day-to-day practice suggesting that fellowship impacted the whole person versus sole practitioner. This study may impact program structure and content inclusion for fellowship programs as well as providing support for fellows in training. © 2018, © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Keywords

Author Keywords

career development Personal development Post-Professional Education Fellowship career evolution post-graduate

Index Keywords

learning adult female human male medical education procedures psychology questionnaire Humans Surveys and Questionnaires Decision making Article interview Vocational education qualitative research education Career choice physician professional development career human experiment middle aged qualitative analysis perception postgraduate student Content analysis Orthopedics Education, Medical, Graduate physiotherapist Physical Therapists Fellowships and Scholarships recall bias musculoskeletal manipulation orthopedic surgeon Musculoskeletal Manipulations Orthopedic Surgeons

Author Affiliations

Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States, Evidence in Motion, Louisville, KY, United States

Evidence in Motion, Louisville, KY, United States, Department of Physical Therapy, South College, Knoxville, TN, United States

Evidence in Motion, Louisville, KY, United States, Institute of Clinical Excellence, Windsor, CO, United States, Physio Sport & Spine, Cheyenne, WY, United States

Evidence in Motion, Louisville, KY, United States, Athletico Physical Therapy, Chicago, IL, United States

Evidence in Motion, Louisville, KY, United States

Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States

Funding & Acknowledgements

American Physical Therapy Association, APTA

Julie M Whitman is the Director of Bellin College’s Doctorate of Science in Physical Therapy Program and the Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship Program, as well as the Evidence in Motion Post-Professional DPT in Musculoskeletal Management. She is board certified in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT). Dr Whitman is widely published, including educational CD-ROMs, e-books, and texts on Orthopaedic and Manual Physical Therapy. She has 40+ peer-reviewed manuscripts, and over 30 published abstracts in the areas of orthopaedics and manual physical therapy. She has been either the primary author or co-author on research grants from the Foundation for Physical Therapy, the Orthopaedic Section of the APTA, and the AAOMPT, and served on the Steering Committee for Physical Therapy Journal. She has presented research both nationally and internationally at professional conferences, and awards include: AAOMPT’s Kaltenborn “Teach I Must” Award, Section on Geriatrics Excellence in Research Award, JOSPT George J. Davies - James A. Gould Excellence in Clinical Inquiry Award, AAOMPT Outstanding Research Award, Discovery Health Clinical Excellence Award in Back Care at the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapists Conference, Outstanding Clinical Educator in the State of Texas, the Jack Walker Award, and Steven J. Rose Excellence in Research Award.

Foundation for Physical Therapy, FPT

Julie M Whitman is the Director of Bellin College’s Doctorate of Science in Physical Therapy Program and the Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship Program, as well as the Evidence in Motion Post-Professional DPT in Musculoskeletal Management. She is board certified in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT). Dr Whitman is widely published, including educational CD-ROMs, e-books, and texts on Orthopaedic and Manual Physical Therapy. She has 40+ peer-reviewed manuscripts, and over 30 published abstracts in the areas of orthopaedics and manual physical therapy. She has been either the primary author or co-author on research grants from the Foundation for Physical Therapy, the Orthopaedic Section of the APTA, and the AAOMPT, and served on the Steering Committee for Physical Therapy Journal. She has presented research both nationally and internationally at professional conferences, and awards include: AAOMPT’s Kaltenborn “Teach I Must” Award, Section on Geriatrics Excellence in Research Award, JOSPT George J. Davies - James A. Gould Excellence in Clinical Inquiry Award, AAOMPT Outstanding Research Award, Discovery Health Clinical Excellence Award in Back Care at the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapists Conference, Outstanding Clinical Educator in the State of Texas, the Jack Walker Award, and Steven J. Rose Excellence in Research Award.

References 10 References

1 Abptrfe, (2018)

2 Ifompt, (2016)

3 Rodeghero, Jason R., The impact of physical therapy residency or fellowship education on clinical outcomes for patients with musculoskeletal conditions, Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 45, 2, pp. 86-96, (2015)

4 Aaompt, (2011)

5 Robertson, Eric K., Postprofessional cartography in physical therapy: Charting a pathway for residency and fellowship training, Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 45, 2, pp. 57-60, (2015)

6 American Physical Therapy Association, (2014)

7 American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education, (2015)

8 Furze, Jennifer A., Physical therapy residency and fellowship education: Reflections on the past, present, and future, Physical Therapy, 96, 7, pp. 949-960, (2016)

9 Presented at Aaompt Conference, (2017)

10 Hsieh, Hsiufang, Three approaches to qualitative content analysis, Qualitative Health Research, 15, 9, pp. 1277-1288, (2005)

Perceptions of the professional and personal impact of hybrid fellowship training: a qualitative study

How to Cite