The purpose of this educational session is to describe the findings of a research project by UAB physical therapy faculty in the development and validation of a curriculum entitled, “Primary Care for Underserved Sectors in Health communities – Utilizing Physical Therapists (PUSH-UP).
The session will share the multistep process used to develop and validate UAB’s curriculum in primary care for underserved populations. Based on a review of the literature and in-depth interviews with PTs who provide service in underserved areas, the presenters developed an initial program description that included 8 courses. To further refine the curriculum, other stakeholders involved in academia, research, and clinical practice across a range of health professions participated in a World Café formatted meeting, focus groups and interviews. After integrating stakeholder input, the final step in validation of the curriculum involved a Delphi process using expert PT educators who conduct research, teach or practice in the areas of underserved populations to validate the revised curriculum.
The presenters will share an evidence-based curriculum that was developed and validated by multiple stakeholders that included students, healthcare practitioners, academicians and researchers. Of interest, stakeholders enriched the curriculum by recommending course additions and focus, teaching strategies, and the benefits/barriers associated with the provision of primary care. Examples of suggestions made to the curriculum included issues related to advocacy, payment and access, the role and use of technology to deliver physical therapy services (i.e., telehealth, wearables, phone apps) and communicate with team members, the interplay among the psychosocial determinants of health with genetics, plasticity, and the appropriate management of individuals with disabilities during emergencies and disasters.
By performing and disseminating this research, we believe that physical therapist graduates of a curriculum that includes the provision of primary, evidence-based care to underserved populations will positively impact not only the health of these populations but also have implications for population health across all groups of individuals.
The curriculum will serve as a model to increase focus and adoption of educational content in the area of primary care and underserved population health.
education
emerging roles
