Fell DW; University of South Alabama College of Allied Health Professions, Mobile, AL. dfell@jaguar1.usouthal.edu.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this survey study was to examine perceptions of physical therapy students regarding the importance and value of having patients with therapy-related medical diagnoses come to course lectures and labs. The study also examined perceived change in assigned level of importance over time. SUBJECTS: The 31 MPT graduates from this program were surveyed in April 2002 during the last week of class before graduation. All 31 subjects returned the survey. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A one-page survey was developed with three sections: I. 5-point scale (not important –to- very important) for retrospective perceptions from prior to PT school, II. current perceptions at the end of PT school, and III. An open-ended section asking for names of specific patients they remembered and "the most important lesson" they learned from each patient. ANALYSES: Survey results were entered into a computer database to allow descriptive statistics of responses and perceived change over time. A personal review of cited patients and comments reveals several trends regarding what the students perceive as important about this type of didactic learning experience. RESULTS: 21/31 students estimated that prior to PT school they would have rated the patient visit experience as 4 or greater (avg 3.90), compared to 30/31 at the time of graduation (avg 4.67). All students stated that such patient visits should continue for future classes. CONCLUSIONS: A review of comments reveals that students place great value in patient visits to the class and lab. Comments from the students were very insightful and will be summarized. The perceived value appears to be mostly related to understanding psychosocial issues and patient interaction vs. physical and medical aspects of the diagnosis. FUNDING SOURCE: None.