Evaluating Clinical Performance of Student Physical Therapists: A Comparison of Student- and Staff-Managed Patient Outcomes after Hip Arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVE:To compare patient outcomes following acute rehabilitation after total hip arthroplasty (THA) of two groups: patients treated by student physical therapists (SPTs) under licensed physical therapist (PT) supervision and by licensed PTs.PARTICIPANTS:Seventy-eight patients with rehabilitation managed by supervised SPTs and 78 treated by licensed PTs. Inclusion criteria were admission between 2010 and 2014, first-time THA, age 55 to 70 yrs, and research consent.METHODS:Retrospective cohort review of electronic health records was conducted. The primary outcome measure was Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC) 6 Clicks Basic Mobility Short Form.OUTCOMES:Patient base¬line and discharge outcomes measured by AM-PAC 6 Clicks were analyzed with mixed-model analysis of covariance.RESULTS:No significant difference was found in AM-PAC score between patient groups, even after differences in body mass index and session number were controlled. AM-PAC mean (SD) scores of SPT-managed cases changed from 14.5 (2.4) at baseline to 18.2 (2.1) at discharge; of PT-managed cases, from 14.4 (2.4) to 18.2 (2.1). Outcomes were realized in fewer SPT-managed sessions than PT-managed sessions; distance ambulated was significantly greater in the PT-managed group. Discharge locations did not differ.CONCLUSION:AM-PAC scores after THA were equal whether patients were treated by supervised SPTs or licensed PTs.