Development and Validation of the Self-Efficacy of Student Physical Therapist Outcomes Survey

Abstract

Introduction. Self-efficacy is believed to be a link between knowledge and the application of knowledge and skills to specific situations. No previously published survey comprehensively measures the self-efficacy of student physical therapists for the outcomes expected of entry-level physical therapists. Methods. The Self-Efficacy of Physical Therapist Student Outcomes (SEPTSO) survey was designed according to the recommended guidelines for tools measuring self-efficacy. Each of the 25 items was linked to published outcomes expected of entry-level physical therapists. Students in 3 cohorts of a 3-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program completed the online SEPTSO 3 times over the course of 1 academic year. Results. There was a statistically significant difference among the 3 cohorts in self-efficacy. 05 F 74 = 51.93, ρ < .0001, with significant differences between self-efficacy scores in the classes of DPT 3 and DPT 1 (ρ < .001) and DPT 2 and DPT 3 (ρ < .001). A 2 × 4 Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) examining the effect of age or sex found no significant main effects for age (ρ = .059) or sex (ρ = .113) and no significant interactions (ρ = .843). Cronbach's alpha was .983 for the 25 items, demonstrating excellent and significant internal validity, and the item-to-total correlation was high for each item, ranging from .981 to .983. A factor analysis resulted in a model in which 2 factors explained 71% of the variance within the factors of patient management and professionalism. Discussion. The SEPTSO survey possesses excellent content validity without bias for age or sex. The potential uses of the SEPTSO survey include program evaluation, curriculum evaluation to identify program weaknesses, accreditation, and self-reflection in students.

Student Self-Efficacy in Pediatrics: Evaluation and Modification of the Pediatric Communication and Handling Self-Efficacy Scale

“…The reliability results of the PCHSES and modified PCHSES were similar to the results of the original instrument development study that had high pretest and posttest Cronbach α for the Communication (pretest = 0.98; posttest = 0.96) and Patient Handling (pretest = 0.97; posttest = 0.89) constructs 12. In addition, the reliability results were consistent with or better than other physical therapy self-efficacy scales, including the Acute Care Confidence Survey,32 the Self-Efficacy of Physical Therapist Student Outcomes Survey,33 and the Self-Efficacy for Interprofessional Experiential Learning 34…”