Comparison of the Use of Service Learning, Volunteer, and Pro Bono Activities in Physical Therapy Curricula

Abstract

Background and Purpose. Service to others is considered an important attribute of a professional and is incorporated into the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice and accreditation criteria. However, little is known about the extent of the use of service activities within physical therapist (PT) and physical therapist assistant (PTA) education programs. The purposes of this study were to determine the use of three forms of community-based learning (CBL), service learning (SL), extracurricular volunteer activity (V), and pro bono services (PB) within PT and PTA curricula and to offer a comparison between the two curricula. Methods. Survey questionnaires were sent to the program administrators of all accredited PT programs, requesting information about the use of SL, V, and PB experiences within their curricula. A slightly modified version of this survey instrument was sent to the program administrators of all accredited PTA programs, soliciting similar information. Both survey instruments requested demographic and activity-specific information. Responses were tabulated for each group and then combined to compare between groups. Results. The response rates were 48% and 47% for the PT and PTA programs, respectively. Within the last 7 years, 77% of the PT programs and 61% of the PTA programs had used at least one of the three types of service activities. Of the respondents, 50 PT programs and 38 PTA programs were cur rently using SL in their curricula. The most frequent goals for incorporating SL were student learning and community benefit for both types of programs. Discussion and Conclusion. Half of those responding to this survey incorporate some form of CBL within their curriculum, and many programs that do not cur rently include SL are planning to add SL. Service learning and PB services are offered more frequently in PT programs than in PTA programs. This study suggests that physical therapy education is increasingly incorporating service opportunities.