• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.184-192
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• 2019

Purpose: This study was conducted to review the curriculum and license examination of physical therapists in the United States. Methods: The doctor of physical therapy (DPT) curriculum was evaluated by a review Course Work Tool version 6 (CWT6) data and current physical therapy licensure examination (National Physical Therapy Exam, NPTE) category in the United States. Results: The results indicated that they were required to meet the doctor of physical therapist degree based on 'Guide to Physical Therapist Practice' of American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). This includes general education in the areas of communications and humanities, physical science, biological science, social and behavioral science, and mathematics. A minimum of one course must be completed successfully in each area of general education. Moreover, there should be at least 68 didactic credits of professional education and 22 clinical education credits, which is a minimum of two full-time clinical internships with no less than 1050 hours in total, which were supervised by a physical therapist. Regarding the physical therapy licensure examination, National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE, 2016) consisted of a physical therapy examination (26.5%), evaluation, differential diagnosis, baseline of prognosis (32.5%), intervention (28.5%), protection, responsibility, and research (6.5%) based on the 'Guide to Physical Therapist Practice'. Conclusion: Based on the study results provided above, it is considered a standard to meet domestic reality as the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice of APTA for South Korean physical therapists.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.69-79
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• 2012

Importance of the work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) has been increasing in the hospital industry such as health care industry and financial industry. This study investigated in order to identify the factors like general, occupational and ergonomically characteristics of the subjects related to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of physical therapists (PTs). Ergonomic tools of rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) were used for evaluation workload of the tasks. Prevalence of MSDs were 13 PTs (26.0%) for neck, 31 PTs (62.0%) for shoulder, 9 PTs (18.0%) for arm/elbow, 27 PTs (54.0%) for hand/wrist, 28 PTs (56.0%) for back, 14 PTs (28.0%) for leg/foot. The analysis of the rate of the pain intensity showed that 53.5% subjects experience moderate pain and 14.0% subjects experience severe pain. Factors which were general characteristics, for example, height, ergonomically characteristics such as 'Posture Score A' were related musculoskeletal subjective symptoms in logistic analysis (p<.05). Among physical therapists, action level of RULA were action level 2 (6.0%), action level 3 (52.0%), action level 4 (42.0%). Physical therapists were estimated one of the highest risk factor in this study. This study suggested that the need of preventive education and program for PTs (physical therapists). Comprehensive and systematic management plans should be established to include both ergonomic and sociopsychological aspects.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.67-75
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study examined the level of awareness of the guidelines of the physical therapist specialization system. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional survey of 364 clinical physical therapists working in hospitals. A structured questionnaire consisting of 17 questions was used. The questionnaire consisted of standards and management for the institutionalization of physical therapist specialization, intentions to acquire specialized physical therapist qualifications, specialized fields, and general information of the research subjects. RESULTS: At least five years of clinical experience and a bachelor's degree or higher were required to obtain a specialized physical therapist qualification. Many physical therapists said they would accept the qualification of a specialized physical therapist. Training and examination were appropriate for acquiring specialized physical therapist qualifications, and it was desirable to manage qualifications at the national level or the association of physical therapists. As for the specialized fields of physical therapy, musculoskeletal physical therapy, pediatric physical therapy, and nervous system physical therapy were prioritized, and electrotherapy was not recognized as a specialized field. CONCLUSION: A detailed discussion is needed on the system and cost for acquiring a specialized physical therapist qualification and economic benefits after acquiring the qualification.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.44-56
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• 2016

Background: The Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach is recognized in the field of health promotion as a way to optimize intervention for promoting health by taking into account specific social, economical, and institutional situations of the community. However, the CBPR approach has not been applied in the field of community-based rehabilitation. Objects: This study was conducted to explore the self-perceived satisfaction of therapists and disabilities on the Short-term Intensive Home-based Rehabilitation (SIHR) program developed using the CBPR approach as well as determine the points that need improvement. Methods: This research was conducted through in-depth interviews. The SIHR program was developed, applied, and evaluated by both the researchers and four therapists on the basis of the CBPR approach. The SIHR program was administered to four disability for 1 hour a day, 2 or 3 times a week, for 8 weeks, and their self-rehabilitation was monitored once a week for 4 weeks. After all intervention periods, in-depth interviews were conducted by using a semi-structured questionnaire for the therapists and disability. Results: The therapists were satisfied with the contents of the SIHR program, such as behavioral change technique and goal-directed training. They were also satisfied with the process of developing the program through a community network. Disabilities were satisfied with the therapists' persuasive and emotionally interactive way of delivering the SIHR program as well as the individually customized rehabilitation training and physical improvement. The short period (8 weeks) of the SIHR program was noted by both therapists and disabilities as the part that needs improvement. Conclusion: The SIHR program developed using the CBPR approach was feasible and satisfying to therapists and disabilities. However, a longer SIHR program should be developed. Community networks could help therapists effectively utilize community resources and thereby provide more rehabilitation program for persons with disability.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2013

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to survey the needs for joining of Korean Physical Therapists and the concerns of Physical Therapy students in the field of international development aid cooperation. Method : we conducted a survey of students whose major is Physical Therapy and employees and volunteers who participated in the international aid business of KOICA. Results : The results of this study were as follow. 1) Employees and volunteers who participated in the international aid business of KOICA recognized that there was the needs for joining of 1 to 3 or more than 3 Physical Therapist as a member of overseas volunteers programs. 2) Even though Physical Therapy students have a great interest in volunteering in the field of international development aid cooperation, they have few information. Conclusion : Firstly, there are needs to extend the participation of Physical Therapist to 1~3 or more than 3 in the KOICA project in the field of international development aid cooperation. Secondly, we should be able to give a lot of information and to make a plan for Physical Therapist students to be a member of oversees volunteers to enhance their understanding and recognition about international collaboration. Finally we could examined the needs for joining of Korean Physical Therapists and the concerns of Physical Therapy students in the field of international development aid cooperation.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.63-69
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• 2020

Purpose : Various research studies are needed to raise the perception of the CE of Korean physical therapists. However, there are little studies have been conducted, and relatively few studies are available to read on online. The purpose of the study is to find out the differences in the perception of CE according to the physical therapist's academic background. In this way, this article intends to strengthen the perception of the CE of health-care workers, such as physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Republic of Korea so that contributing to the development of national health. Methods : Present study showed that 431 out of 563 people who participated in the two meetings of CE conducted by the Gwangju Metropolitan City of the Korea Physical Therapy Association responded in the survey in 2015. Among them, only 238 people were surveyed on the awareness of CE in 2014, excluding 181 questionnaires due to poor responses and 112 questionnaires that did not participate in CE in the previous year. Descriptive analyses were conducted to identify the perception among those who experienced CE, and simple linear regression analysis was performed using dummy variables to identify awareness of the education based on their academic background. Results : Question 3 (p=.000, R2=.067) was significant in the significance test of the regression equation for perception of the CE (p<.05). Question 1 (p=.687), 2 (p=.066), 4 (p=.430), 5 (p=.085), and 6 (p=.054), 7 (p=.111), 8 (p=.088), 9 (p=.213), 10 (p=.191) and 11 (p=. 169), the regression formula was not significant (p>.05). Conclusion : Physical therapists had a moderate perception of the need for a CE and had the idea that improvements were required in what was provided in that education. In addition, there was no statistically significant difference, although there was a greater awareness of CE in the Master of Science Course or higher than college or university graduates.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.613-619
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• 2011

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare the muscle activities of lumbar and lower extremity muscles between left and right sides using EMG(Electromyogram) when patients are transferred by physical therapists. Background: Asymmetrical lift was recognized as a major cause of musculoskeletal disorder. Several studies show that physical therapists' transferring patients needs caution as it could cause a lumbar pain to patients but there is not sufficient data to support. Method: Forty healthy rehabilitation hospital physical therapists joined for this study. The subjects were transferred from wheelchair to treatment mat(from left to right) by connecting the EMG device to the patients' body both on erector spine and rectus fermoris. At the moment when subjects were being transferred, the EMG device collected data from both erector spine and rectus femoris and it was normalized as %MVC. Then the EMG data was statistically analyzed using paired t-tests. Results: The EMG data show that the left erector spinae and rectus femoris are more activated than right erector spinae and rectus femoris in all position(p<.05) in a significant degree. Conclusion: The result implies that physical therapists' asymmetrical lifting when patients are transferred by them has a potential cause of musculoskeletal disorder of patients. Further studies will be conducted to find out a same tendency in other muscles of a body and to see if there are other factors to affect to patients during asymmetrical lifting. Application: These results can be used to provide baseline information for more understanding to asymmetrical lift loading.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.131-139
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• 2022

This study investigated the effects of job satisfaction on job commitment and turnover factors of physical therapists working in residential facilities for the disabled. Job satisfaction (23 questions) and organizational commitment (11 questions) were investigated for 122 physical therapists working in residential facilities for the disabled. As a result of the study, the job satisfaction of physical therapists working in residential facilities for the disabled was 3.16, and the level of organizational commitment was 3.29, which was moderate. Among job satisfaction, higher self-esteem, superior and welfare system, communication, and satisfaction with colleagues showed higher organizational commitment. Self-esteem, supervisor and welfare system, communication, and co-worker factors were found to affect emotional commitment. Physical therapists working in residential facilities for the disabled pointed out dissonance between their boss and colleagues, poor working environment, salary problems, and excessive work as factors for turnover. In order to increase organizational commitment of physical therapists working in residential facilities for the disabled, it seems that respect for their work and improvement of relationships with superiors and colleagues are necessary.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.245-251
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• 2021

Purpose: This study sought to identify the effect of various types of communication by physical therapists on patient satisfaction and revisit intention. Methods: A total of 212 patients who received physical therapy in Seoul and the Gyeonggi province were surveyed on patient satisfaction and revisit intentions depending on the types of communication by physical therapists. Frequency and correlation analyses were conducted to process the data using the SPSS 22.0 program, and the AMOS 18.0 statistical package was used for confirmatory factor analysis. A structural equation modeling analysis was also performed to verify the model and the hypothesis that was set up in the present paper. Results: The survey showed that patient satisfaction correlates positively and significantly with patient-centric communication, physical factors, and spatial behavior. A significant negative correlation was also found between patient satisfaction and therapist-centered communication. Patient satisfaction positively correlated with revisit intentions. Conclusion: These results showed that there was a positive correlation between the communication of the physical therapist and the satisfaction recognized by a patient. This implies that the patient satisfaction with a physical therapist increases as the communication skills of a physical therapist improve. These findings suggest that a physical therapist must adopt patient-centric communication styles, physical factors, and spatial behavior. This study was important as it generated basic data for the formation of a therapeutic relationship through efficient and promotional communication skills. It recognizes the importance of communication between a physical therapist and a patient as the indispensable factor for interaction.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.111-123
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• 2011

The research tris to provide some basic data for the efficient method of human resources management and the efficiency of hospital organization by drawing how servant leadership of physical therapists has impact on job satisfaction and organizational commitment. As a measuring device the method of self-fill-in questionnaire survey was utilized and the correlation and regression analysis was practiced on demographic property, the relationships of 11 kinds of variables between servant leadership and organizational commitment. Job satisfaction was concerned with internal motivation, autonomy, hearing, altruistic vocation, community sense, sympathy formation, vision in the positive order, while organizational commitment was concerned with internal motivation, altruistic vocation, vision, autonomy, community sense, hearing, and sympathy formation is the positive order. Supervisors of physical therapists should try to strive to fulfill the demands of therapists in their position, suggest the vision and objectives to them, and enhance their community sense. As a result, supervisors of physical therapists can enhance job satisfaction and organizational commitment in the position of their employees.