Physical therapist student interest in full-time faculty positions.

Full Abstract

A strong demand exists for allied health faculty in institutions of higher education. This study focused on physical therapists for the purposes of:
1) determining student physical therapist interest in full-time faculty positions at some point in their professional careers, 2) identifying factors that might influence student interest in full-time faculty positions at some point in their careers, and 3) being able to suggest ways in which students might be encouraged to consider academic careers in the future. Twenty-nine accredited professional physical therapist programs gave permission for their graduating students to be surveyed; 1,160 surveys were sent out, and 1,037 usable surveys were returned (89% return rate). Of the 1,037 respondents, 569 students (59%) expressed an interest in pursuing a full-time faculty position at some point in their career. Demographic data were reported, and chi 2 was used to analyze survey results statistically. The items that were statistically significant with regard to interest in a full-time faculty position were:
1) a physical therapist instructor had encouraged a student to pursue a full-time faculty position, 2) the student had a learning experience in which a faculty position was discussed as a career option, and 3) the student had a parent who was employed in education. Physical therapist faculty members were identified by students as the group with the greatest influence on a student's decision to choose an academic career. Students identified the following factors as negatives for pursuing full-time faculty positions:
1) having to be engaged in research projects, 2) being restricted to treating patients only occasionally, and 3) being required to speak before groups. The results of this study suggested methods that physical therapist faculty might employ to recruit students to academia, such as providing individual encouragement, discussing faculty positions as a career option, providing opportunity for students to become more comfortable with aspects of research and with public speaking, and informing students that in many academic settings one still can treat patients. Further research is needed to determine if these results can be generalized to other allied health professions.

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Author information

Author/s: Mac Kinnon, Joyce L (JL); Leighton, R Dennis (RD);

Affiliation: School of Allied Health Sciences, Indiana University, 120 Coleman Hall, 1140 West Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5119, USA. jmackinn(-atsign-)iupui.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of allied health (J Allied Health), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-; vol 31 (issue 2) : pp 70-7

Dates: Created 2002/06/03; Completed 2002/11/19; Revised 2004/11/17;

PMID: 12041000, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Career Choice
Data Collection - methods
Female
Humans

Male
Personnel Selection
Physical Therapy (Specialty) - education
Teaching
United States

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