The 5 Roles of
Physical Therapist
THE PHYSICAL
THERAPIST AS
CRITICAL INQUIRER
Critical Inquiry
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Critical inquiry is the process of applying
the principles of scientific methods to
read and interpret professional
literature; participate in, plan, and
conduct research; evaluate outcomes
data; and assess new concepts and
technologies.
Steps in Applying EBM
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Convert the need for information into an
answerable question.
Track down the best evidence to answer that
question.
Critically appraise the evidence for validity,
impact, and usefulness in clinical practice.
Integrate the critical appraisal with clinical
expertise and the patient’s unique circumstances
and values.
Evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the
evidence-gathering process and seek ways to
improve these factors.
Outcomes Research
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The term outcomes research is used for
studies that focus on the end result of health
care in terms of health status, disability, and
survival.
Effectiveness studies address how well
routine clinical practices work in everyday
practice, where as efficacy studies, which
are typically conducted as randomized clinical
trials in specialty centers with discrete
sampling of subjects, address whether clinical
practices can work in ideal situations
Whose Responsibility Is Research?
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The subject of who shoulders responsibility for the
creation and dissemination of physical therapy
knowledge remains a matter of controversy
Physical Therapy Faculties
Doctoral students also meet this need through the
traditional dissertation requirement
At a minimum, most physical therapy students are
required to demonstrate the ability to use research
and to critique new information
The belief is that this requirement teaches students
to value research and stimulates interest in
advanced studies.
Criteria For Critical Inquiry
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From the Commission on Accreditation of Physical
Therapy Education (CAPTE)
Participate in the design and implementation of decision-
making guidelines.
Demonstrate clinical decision-making skills, including
clinical reasoning, clinical judgment, and reflective
practice.
Evaluate published studies related to physical therapy
practice, research, and education.
Secure and critically evaluate information related to new
and established techniques and technology, legislation,
policy, and environments related to patient or client care.
Participate in scholarly activities to contribute to the body
of physical therapy knowledge
Roles of The Physical Therapist in
Critical Inquiry
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(1) A user of research,
(2) A publisher of case reports,
(3) A collaborator in clinical research studies,
(4) An assessor of new concepts and
technology, and
(5) A research subject.
Guidelines For Critiquing Research
Reports
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To critique means to criticize, which
means to make judgments, to analyze
qualities, and to evaluate the
comparative worth of something
A critique must go beyond reporting
what the researcher did
The following questions can serve as a
guide to Physical Therapists in critiquing
research reports.
Ethical And Legal Issues in Critical Inquiry
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In the critical inquiry role, PTs must fulfill their
responsibility to society to protect research subjects
and their responsibility to individuals to protect their
rights.
According to APTA’s Code of Ethics and Guide for
Professional Conduct, following are the factors of
consideration
The protection of human subjects in research
The requirements of institutional review boards (IRBs)
The differences between patients and research
subjects
The responsibilities of clinical researchers
The ethical challenges of EBP.
Protection of Human
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Subjects
Voluntary participation;
The disclosure of risks to subjects;
A design that merits any risks the subjects face;
The avoidance of injury and suffering;
The prohibition of studies that put subjects at
risk of death or disability;
The right of subjects to terminate participation;
The balancing of risks against societal benefits;
and
The responsibilities of the researcher
Thank You
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Any Question..????