Curriculum Structure and Content in Pediatric Physical Therapy: Results of a Survey of Entry‐Level Physical Therapy Programs

A survey of faculty in entry-level physical therapy education programs was conducted to create a data base about educational content and structure in pediatrics and a roster of academic and clinical faculty. Information pertained to the program status for the 1990 to 1991 academic year. The purpose of this paper is to present results from the data base. Information obtained relative to three areas (child development, pediatric disorders/illnesses, and management) included placement in curriculum, hours of instruction, if the material was required or elective, and satisfaction with time allotted. In addition, information was gathered in the following areas: laboratory experiences with children, availability and length of clinical affiliations, time allotted to each of 16 pediatric science topics, characteristics of faculty teaching pediatrics, and percentage of pediatric curriculum content taught by faculty with different levels of academic appointment. Seventy-six of 123 accredited programs returned the survey, for a response rate of 62%. Except for the finding that at least 93% of programs require pediatric coursework, programs differed widely in how and what pediatric content was presented.