Strategic Plan for Physical Therapy

Context For Planning

The faculty of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program are committed to providing an inclusive environment, who are outstanding, autonomous, licensed independent practitioners who provide evidence-based care that optimizes the health, well-being, and movement ability of individuals and society. Through a highly integrated program, we seek to develop collaborative and reflective physical therapists who are recognized in their communities as the provider of choice to prevent and manage movement-related disorders across the lifespan. As life-long learners, our graduates will be professional and community leaders who effect change in their organizations and communities to best meet the healthcare needs of a diverse, multi-cultural society.

Mission

To prepare exceptional physical therapists who will optimize the health, well-being and movement ability of individuals and society.

Vision

The GVSU DPT program will develop autonomous, collaborative and reflective physical therapists who are specialists in assessing, diagnosing, and treating the human movement system using evidence-based practice. Our graduates will be recognized in their communities as the provider of choice to prevent and manage movement-related disorders across the lifespan, thereby optimizing health and function at both the individual and community levels. As life-long learners, they will be professional and community leaders who effect change in their organizations and communities to best meet the healthcare needs of a diverse, multi-cultural society

Value Statement

Professional and ethical behavior

Respect and appreciation of differences

Life-long learning

Excellence in teaching, scholarship, practice

Appreciation of personal well-being

Collegiality and collaboration

Social responsibility

Evidence-based practice

Reflective practice

Advocacy Leadership

Strategic Priorities, outcomes, and key objectives

Strategic Priority Area 1: Actively engage learners at all levels.

Outcome A: Grand Valley's learning environment is personal, challenging, and transformational, supporting excellent academic programs and co-curricular opportunities.

Objective 1.A.1

The Department of Physical Therapy will charge each of its curricular subgroups to annually assess the need for new content, revised content, or alternate/updated teaching methodologies in order to offer the latest, evidence-based content within the Program.

Baseline

Currently, there is no intentional assessment or Departmental mandate in this regard.

Progress

2021 Status
Substantive Progress
The musculoskeletal sub-committee made substantive progress in 2021. A review of syllabi to ensure required objectives are being met was initiated, with a discussion regarding the movement system as a framework. Additionally, the group worked through the curricular sequence to assess both the timing of topic introduction and alignment of presentation of cases and body regions.

2019 Status
Substantive Progress
The faculty who provide instruction in the neurological content of the program had a mini-retreat to review (and make recommendations for change of) the material that is presented in that component of the Program. This review included adjunct instructors in neuro as well. The latter group provided a strong clinical perspective on the discussion. The faculty who provide instruction in orthopedic content have also begun a similar review and this should be completed in 2020.

Outcome B: Grand Valley is diverse and inclusive.

Objective 1.B.1

The Department of Physical Therapy will develop initiatives to attempt to increase the cumulative diversity of the College of Health Professions students, faculty, and staff.

Baseline

Baseline: Approximately 5% of DPT students are currently from underrepresented groups (URGs). There are no minority faculty or staff at the current time.

Progress

2021 Status
Substantive Progress
DPT overall student enrollment from racially underrepresented groups stands at 6.7%, and 8.3% in the cohort admitted in 2021. The program has taken several steps to improve student and faculty diversity, as well as a signficant effort to improve intercultural competence in our current student cohorts and faculty. While we have significant work to do to impact student enrollment, the effort the program has made is substantial, and is creating a culture that attracts students from all backgrounds to the program. Faculty retirements have opened up an opportunity to begin recruiting a more diverse faculty. The current program Search Committee has included advertisement with websites that target diversity. Additionally, the Program Director travelled to a national level meeting to specifically market the program and advertise tenure-track faculty openings to people from URG's. Finally, the program has continued to address the issue of the impact of Social Determinants of Health and Intercultural Competence in our Professional Topics courses. As a part of this curricular effort, students are provided an assessment of their intercultural competence with an exploration of how this may impact patient access and outcomes. Faculty completed this assessment across the College.

2019 Status
Minimal Progress
The Program's number of students from underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities remains at 5% or less.

Outcome C: Grand Valley has mutually beneficial relationships, partnerships, collaborations, and connections with local, state, national, and world communities.

Objective 1.C.1

The Department of Physical Therapy will reactivate its advisory board made up of adjunct faculty and/or community members, and meetings will be held at least once per year.

Baseline

The Department of Physical Therapy has not had an advisory committee in place since the DPT program was initiated

Progress

2021 Status
Achieved
We have assembled an Advisory Board but have yet to meet due to COVID-19 concerns.

2019 Status
Achieved
Our DPT Advisory Board is active and meeting annually, or biannually.

Objective 1.C.2

The Department of Physical Therapy will allocate greater resources (personnel, finances, benefits, and continuing education collaborations) in order to secure and maintain a strong position in terms of clinical education opportunities. Clinical instructor training programs (CCIPs) will be offered at least annually.

Baseline

Currently, the Department/University offer the Preceptor Perks package. The Department offers 1 clinical instructor training program approximately every-other-year, depending on supportive funding. There are 2 full-time clinical educators who devote a portion of their workdays to securing clinical education sites.

Progress

2021 Status
Achieved
This was not initiated due to COVID-19 concerns. We plan to retun to providing programming that is valuable to our clinical partners in 2022.

2019 Status
Substantial Progress
The Program continues to do well in this regard. We have 2.5 FTE's devoted to working with our clinical community to ensure the optimal clinical experiences for our students, in addition to establishment of new (and maintenance of existing) clinical affiliations for our Program. In addition, the Program is actively involved in clinical instructor training programs for physical therapists that train our students in the clinic. We are engaged in two of these per year (typically) and the response from the professional community has been positive.

Objective 1.C.3

The Department of Physical Therapy will annually receive adjunct faculty feedback regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the Program.

Baseline

There are no such efforts at the current time.

Progress

2021 Status
Minimal Progress
Professors currently receive feedback from adjunct faculty through one on one discussions and feedback.

2019 Status
Minimal Progress
The Program did not take in this specific information from our adjuncts in 2019. Informal discussions were undertaken, but no formal feedback was solicited or collected.

Outcome D: Grand Valley supports innovative teaching, learning, integrative scholarly and creative activity, and the use of new technologies.

Objective 1.D.1

The Department of Physical Therapy will actively explore innovative teaching strategies for their ability to enhance teaching and learning in the DPT Program.

Baseline

Currently, there is no intentional tracking or Departmental mandate in this regard.

Progress

2021 Status
Substantive Progress
The pandemic has forced every faculty member to embrace innovative teaching strategies and technology to be successful in both the remote and face-to-face classroom environment. As we return to the "new normal", we are actively reflecting on successful and unsuccessful strategies to enhance the educational experience for our students.

2019 Status
Substantive Progress
Faculty are making a good effort to increase awareness of teaching technologies and strategies for enhancement of learning in the Program. Faculty regularly attend national and state meetings where they are exposed to the latest technologies. Faculty attend FTLC seminars and other events on-campus where new teaching methods are shared (e.g., fall start-up meeting and the like). At our faculty meetings, faculty also share ideas about new strategies they employ in the classroom or in our labs.

Objective 1.D.2

The Department of Physical Therapy will formally assess the impact of new teaching strategies on student learning.

Baseline

Baseline: Currently, there is no intentional assessment or Departmental mandate in this regard.

Progress

2021 Status
Not Yet Initiated
Our current activity includes individual faculty reflections, leading to isolated course changes.

2019 Status
Not Yet Initiated
The Program has not undertaken any formal assessment of new teaching strategies employed this past year. It is anticipated that that assessment will begin in the current academic year, as the new strategies or technologies are employed over an entire term.

Outcome E: Grand Valley strategically allocates its fiscal, human, and other institutional resources.

Objective 1.E.1

The Department of Physical Therapy will create at least one fully endowed scholarship for a student from an underrepresented group (URG).

Baseline

Currently, there are none

Progress

2021 Status
Achieved
The Program continues to be associated with an endowed scholarship benefitting students from URG's. The program is currently working to start another endowed scholarship that prioritizes improving the diversity of our cohorts.

2019 Status
Achieved
There is one fully endowed scholarship for underrepresented groups within the Program.

Objective 1.E.2

The Department of Physical Therapy will hire and integrate highly qualified faculty as it fills new positions and replaces retiring members.

Baseline

No hires have been made in past 3 years.

Progress

2021 Status
Substantial Progress
The Program hired a new Program Director and Chair in August, 2020 who was well qualified for the position from outside the institution. In 2021, we hired two Visiting faculty members who were hired specifically for the expertise in orthopedic clinical care and as a clinical educator.

2019 Status
Substantial Progress
Good progress was made in this regard in 2016-18, as reported previously. There were no new hires in 2019.

Strategic Priority Area 2: Further develop exceptional personnel.

Outcome A: Grand Valley's learning environment is personal, challenging, and transformational, supporting excellent academic programs and co-curricular opportunities.

Objective 2.A.1

The Department of Physical Therapy will annually provide opportunities for professional growth and development of its adjunct and clinical faculty members.

Baseline

Baseline: There are no such efforts at the current time

Progress

2021 Status
Achieved
Professional growth and development opportunities during this period were not manageable due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and time management constraints. We plan to hold a Certified Clinical Instrutor Program Course in 2022 and look forward to providing additional opportunities in the future, as we fully appreciate the importance of adding value to our relationships with our clinical partners and valued adjunct professors.

2019 Status
Achieved
Members of the DPT faculty are involved annually in providing advanced training for our clinical educators such that the latter can obtain credentialing through the American Physical Therapy Association as Clinical Instructors.

Outcome B: Grand Valley is diverse and inclusive.

Objective 2.B.1

More than one-half of the DPT faculty and staff will participate in educational opportunities afforded through extramural and/or intramural agencies to increase cultural diversity, sensitivity, and awareness.

Baseline

Baseline: Only 3 members of the DPT faculty/staff have completed cultural diversity, sensitivity, and awareness training via the Inclusion Advocacy program.

Progress

2021 Status
Achieved
This has been achieved and faculty continue to participate in training and programs that improve our cultural diversity, sensitivity, and awareness.

2019 Status
Achieved
The DPT faculty was engaged in in-service training provided through the CHP and the Inclusion Action Committee in 2019. At least 3/4 of the faculty from the Department were engaged in two training sessions presented in this calendar year.

Objective 2.B.2

After the completion of intramural and extramural training initiatives related to inclusion and cultural sensitivity, the DPT faculty and staff will demonstrate a higher level of awareness of their own biases and an improved knowledge of and attention to cultural sensitivity and diversity matters in all phases of the Program through an instrument to be used at the College level.

Baseline

Baseline: 2016 IDI results

Progress

2021 Status
Minimal Progress
The College of Health Professions administered the IDI a second time to the entire faculty and staff. Data was provided to indivduats to assess their personal development and results were debriefed in aggregate across the College.

2019 Status
Minimal Progress
An inventory of the faculty's progression along the intercultural awareness spectrum will be evaluated when the IDI is administered once again. This is slated for AY 2020-2021 by the Inclusion Action Committee. So, there are no meaningful and objective data to offer at this juncture.

Outcome C: Grand Valley has mutually beneficial relationships, partnerships, collaborations, and connections with local, state, national, and world communities.

Objective 2.C.1

At least 50% of the DPT faculty will demonstrate engagement at the national, state, or district level with a relevant professional association by virtue of leadership positions held or committees served upon.

Baseline

TBD by survey

Progress

2021 Status
Achieved
This goal was achieved prior to the pandemic. Through 2021, many faculty have discontinued such work and we will strive to return to this level of productivity as we return to normal.

2019 Status
Achieved
The majority of the DPT faculty are now involved in professional leadership positions at the national, state, or district levels.

Outcome D: Grand Valley supports innovative teaching, learning, integrative scholarly and creative activity, and the use of new technologies.

Objective 2.D.1

2.D.1: 50% of the adjunct DPT faculty will have training in the use of Blackboard technology as offered by the FTLC.

Baseline

Less than 10% of the adjunct DPT faculty currently have this training.

Progress

2021 Status
Substantive Progress
All adjunct faculty who teach in the online or hybrid format complete Blackboard Foundations training.

2019 Status
Minimal Progress
While some adjunct faculty are using Blackboard technology (approximately 50%), none have received formal teaching from FTLC to that end. Instead, they are learning "on the job" with guidance, as needed, by regular DPT faculty.

Outcome E: Grand Valley strategically allocates its fiscal, human, and other institutional resources.

Objective 2.E.1

Increase the amount of annual funding available to DPT faculty for Professional Development to $2500.00.

Baseline

Currently, each full-time faculty member is allocated $1,350.00 on an annual basis.

Progress

2021 Status
Substantive Progress
In CY 2021, funding was returned to the programs for professional development funding. Additionally, there are other opportunities through CSCE, FTLC, and the College for additional funding when justified by the faculty member and/or Chair

2019 Status
Minimal Progress
Per last year's entry: this funding has been reduced across campus. However, additional funds are available through the CHP, if a faculty member has a particular, justifiable need for increased funding.

Strategic Priority Area 3: Ensure the alignment of institutional structures and functions.

Outcome B: Grand Valley is diverse and inclusive.

Objective 3.B.1

The Department of Physical Therapy will evaluate the procedures of its Standing Committees and ad-hoc committees to ensure that reasonable policies and procedures are in place for consideration of equal opportunity for persons from all backgrounds.

Baseline

No intentional initiative has been established to date.

Progress

2021 Status
Substantive Progress
The Admissions Committee took two actions this year that will reduce barriers to application and enhance our ability to consider applicants in a way that considers the each individual in a holistic way. Additionally, the Chair appointed our faculty member with the greatest expertise in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to the Admissions Committee to provide additional assessment of our Admissions processes.

2019 Status
Substantive Progress
The two, standing committees in the Program, to which this item most closely pertains, are the Admissions Committee and the Curriculum Committee. Both have made strides in assessing ways to make the Program more inclusive.

Outcome E: Grand Valley strategically allocates its fiscal, human, and other institutional resources.

Objective 3.E.1

The Department of Physical Therapy will evaluate its past recommendations from its accrediting body and attend to those as it prepares for the next visit in 2022.

Baseline

To date, limited reflection on the past recommendations has been conducted.

Progress

2021 Status
Substantial Progress
The Chair realigned the program leadership team to prepare for the upcoming CAPTE Self-Study and accrediation visit. A faculty retreat was conducted in January 2021 and an accreditation consultant provided an assessment and recommendations in the Fall of 2021

2018 Status
Substantive Progress
The co-chairs of assessment and curriculum committee have initiated this process and are working now with the DC to bring those findings forward for consideration.

Objective 3.E.2

The Department of Physical Therapy will consider the new standards of its accrediting body and address those in preparation for the next site visit in 2022.

Baseline

To date, no formal assessment/planning has taken place in this regard.

Progress

2021 Status
Substantial Progress
The program has performed a cross-walk between the "Old" CAPTE Elements and the "New" Standards. The Chair has been involved in a CAPTE visit at a different program since the new standards were implemented. We also hired a consultant with expertise in accreditation to assess the program this Fall

2018 Status
Minimal Progress
The DC and co-chairs of the Assessment & Curriculum Committee have begun to assess the newest CAPTE standards and will be meeting to formulate planning to address any needs identified.

Strategic Priority Area 4: Enhance the institution's image and reputation.

Outcome A: Grand Valley's learning environment is personal, challenging, and transformational, supporting excellent academic programs and co-curricular opportunities.

Objective 4.A.1

Improve the first-time pass rate on the NPTE to 95% or greater.

Baseline

The current first-time pass rate runs 89-95%.

Progress

2021 Status
Substantive Progress
In 2021, the program committed to funding the Academic PEAT exam for all students during the 8th semester of the program. Early indications are that faculty advisors are able to assist students more effectively with identifying areas of strength and weakness, as well as developing a study plan for success.

2019 Status
Minimal Progress
In 2019, our first-time pass rate was 93.2%.

Objective 4.A.2

Improve the ultimate pass rate on the NPTE to 100%.

Baseline

The current ultimate pass rate runs 94-100%.

Progress

2021 Status
Substantial Progress
2021 Overall Pass Rate = 98.3%

2019 Status
Minimal Progress
In 2019, our ultimate pass rate was 94.9%. This is down from the previous year, but students who did not pass are still working to pass the exam, so a final number may still trend upward in coming months.

Outcome B: Grand Valley is diverse and inclusive.

Objective 4.B.1

The Department of Physical Therapy will receive university recognition for its efforts to improve the percentage of applicants from Underrepresented Groups (URGs). Baseline: No such recognition has been received in the past. The Department has not formally measured the percentage of applicants from URGs.

Baseline

No such recognition has been received in the past. The Department has not formally measured the percentage of applicants from URGs.

Progress

2021 Status
Minimal Progress
The program has made incremental increases in the diversity of our cohorts. Overall, 6.7% of students report being a member of a racial minority group.

2018 Status
Minimal Progress
Even though the Department continues to engage in training that is designed to enhance cultural awareness and sensitivity, it has not achieved recognition for those efforts.

Outcome C: Grand Valley has mutually beneficial relationships, partnerships, collaborations, and connections with local, state, national, and world communities.

Objective 4.C.1

The Department of Physical Therapy will organize no less than 3 continuing education opportunities per year for the professional community in order to enhance the university's reputation as an institution committed to lifelong teaching and learning.

Baseline

The Department has offered no more than 1 event per year in the past.

Progress

2021 Status
Achieved
Unfortunately, we were unable to support this objective due to the pandemic. We plan to return to providing opportunities when appropriate and hope to do so in 2022.

2019 Status
Achieved
Between our CCIP (credentialing for clinical educators) and our Clinical Education programming for the community-at-large, we are reaching this goal annually.

Objective 4.C.2

The Department will allocate resources (personnel, funds, and reassigned time) to develop the Biomechanics and Human Performance Lab's reputation and impact on its students and the community.

Baseline

No regular funding is available to the lab. One faculty member has 12 hours of reassigned time to administrate the lab and coordinate student and faculty engagement in the lab.

Progress

2021 Status
Not Yet Initiated
Due to restrictions on human subjects research, no further movement has been made on this objective.

2019 Status
Substantive Progress
The Department has allocated the equivalent of 1 FTE to the lab through the expertise of a part-time engineer and a part-time physical therapist, working in tandem in the lab. There are studies ongoing in the lab that involve both intramural and extramural researchers.

Outcome D: Grand Valley supports innovative teaching, learning, integrative scholarly and creative activity, and the use of new technologies.

Objective 4.D.1

The Department of Physical Therapy will secure adequate reassigned time to increase the number and amount of grants from extramural funding to support faculty lines of research.

Baseline

Faculty currently have no more than 6 credit hours of reassigned time, which includes research, administrative functions, and service. Currently, there are 2 faculty members who are utilizing grant funds from extramural sources.

Progress

2021 Status
Not Yet Initiated
Dr. Kenyon has secured funding from NIH that supports reassigned time.

2019 Status
Minimal Progress
No additional reassigned time was acquired in 2019.

Objective 4.D.2

The Department of Physical Therapy will secure greater reassigned time to support opportunities for its members to secure leadership positions within related professional organizations.

Baseline

Faculty currently have no more than 6 credit hours of reassigned time, which includes research, administrative functions, and service.

Progress

2021 Status
Achieved
This action was previously closed.

2019 Status
Not Yet Initiated
The Department is no longer seeking increased reassigned time for this purpose due to the fiscal climate at the university and given the percentage of PT faculty who're already holding these positions without the advantage of additional reassigned time.

Outcome E: Grand Valley strategically allocates its fiscal, human, and other institutional resources.

Objective 4.E.1

Acquire the assistance of the CHP web page designer to assist the Department of Physical Therapy with revision and maintenance of its website.

Baseline

The Department currently does not have an Instructional Designer at its disposal.

Progress

2021 Status
Substantive Progress
In the Fall of 2021, we began the update to the program website. The addition of the Master of Athletic Training program will require further integration.

2017 Status
Achieved
The Program's website has been reviewed and is updated on a regular basis now by the Program's Assistant Chair, Dr. Meri Goehring, with the assistance of the Department Chair and the entire DPT faculty.

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