A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF THE COMPETENCY OF FEU-NRMF PT INTERNS 2005-2006 IN THE PROVISION OF PT SERVICES IN THEIR CLINICAL PRACTICE AT FEU-NRMF PHYSICAL THERAPY REHABILITATION UNIT

ABSTRACT: This is a descriptive study about the competency of FEU-PT Interns 2005-2006 in the provision of PT services in their clinical practice at FEU-PTRU. Ten behaviors, or generic abilities identified by the physical therapy profession in maintaining competence includes: Commitment to Learning; Interpersonal Skills; Communication Skills; Effective Use of Time and Resources; Use of Constructive Feedback; Problem-Solving; Professionalism; Responsibility; Critical Thinking; and Stress Management, which at the work conference of the researchers was delineated to five section basing it on the fore-gathered evaluation tools used in every centers affiliated to FEU-NRMF School of Physical Therapy namely: I. Attendance, Punctuality and Utilization of Time; II. Professional Attitude; III. Patient Treatment and Management; IV. Safety Procedures; and V. Interpersonal Relationship, consistent with the division of evaluation in most of the centers. The subjects of this study were selected using a purposive sampling. The data were collected using the standard evaluation tool at the FEU-Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Unit which was used by the assigned specific evaluator; in this study the clinical supervisor was the evaluator. The evaluation used was validated via pilot testing, Pilot Testing Evaluation Tool used, was collated from the evaluation tools currently used at some centers that are affiliated with FEU-NRMF School of Physical Therapy, the researchers. 72 FEU-NRMF PT interns who have rotated at FEU-Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Unit was covered by the study. There were 6 Batches having 12 students each to complete the rotation period. Subjects were evaluated as they go each day on their rotation at FEU-Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Unit and the validated evaluation tool was used to rate each intern at the end of each batch`s rotation period. As for the result the study showed that 37 out of 72 FEU-NRMF PT interns showed competence on their clinical practice at FEU-NRMF Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Unit. Batch 1 excelled on Section V however they are considered incompetent because none of them passed on the overall score on the evaluation for competency. In Batch 2, 1 out of 12 interns passed on the overall score with Section V as their highest. Batch 3 had only 6 interns who passed with Section V as their highest quality. Batch 4 showed 10 competent interns with Sections I, II and IV as their strongest qualities. On the other hand, Batch 5 showed improvement and attained 8 out of 12 passed interns with Sections I, II and V as their strongest qualities. Lastly, Batch 6 as compared with the previous batches showed competency with 12 out of 12 passed interns in almost all sections (Section I, II, IV and V ). To summarize none of the batches who rotated at FEU-NRMF Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Unit had gained highest in Section III (Patient Treatment and Management), which was the most crucial section of the evaluation tool, comprising the highest percentile distribution of 40% and is the most important basis for an intern to be considered competent. Section V (Interpersonal Relationship) is considered as the highest point of all batches. It shows that FEU-NRMF PT Interns SY 2005-2006 exhibits proper way of dealing with patients, relatives and superior as well. Regarding competency, Batch 6 of the FEU-NRMF PT Interns who rotated at FEU-NRMF Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Unit is the most competent interns and showed excellence in their clinical practice.