Thompson K; Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA. kathomps@oakland.edu.

PURPOSE: The professional portfolio is a collection of work and career related papers and artifacts that documents abilities, attributes, accomplishments, education, work experiences, professional and community contributions. Portfolios may be used in physical therapy education for teaching and learning, to assess student outcomes and/or to assess program outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the development and use of professional portfolios by physical therapy graduates. SUBJECTS: A convenience sample of 103 graduates (all students from the three most recent classes) from the physical therapy program at one midwestern university were mailed surveys. The return rate was 74%. Graduates from the last two classes had developed professional portfolios during the program. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A survey instrument with multiple choice and open-ended questions was developed and sent. The four sections of the survey included: demographics, portfolio development process (reflective thinking, identifying strengths and goals), use of portfolios in a job search (preparation, usefulness, employer review), and use of portfolios for professional activities (for example: applying for grad school, career advancement, documentation of professional activities). ANALYSES: SPSS 11.5 was used to determine frequencies and Chi-squares were used to determine the relationship of gender and year of graduation to portfolio development process and use. RESULTS: 81.6% of respondents were female. 77.6% of respondents had developed a portfolio. 33% of respondents who had not developed a portfolio in the program had subsequently developed a portfolio. Over 59% of respondents with a portfolio felt that the portfolio development process had helped them develop skills of reflective thinking, identify their strengths and set goals. 54% agreed that the portfolio helped prepare them for a job search but 71% were neutral or disagreed that it was useful in the search. 40.7% had a potential employer review their portfolio. Portfolios most frequently included a resume, continuing education certificates, professional development plans and examples of research. 59% of respondents with a portfolio were currently using them, most frequently to document professional activities. Neither gender nor year of graduation was related to the portfolio development process or use. CONCLUSIONS: Most respondents in this pilot study found the portfolio process helpful for developing skills of reflective thinking, identifying strengths and setting goals as well as preparing for a job search. The majority of respondents were currently using their portfolios. Results of the study suggest that the process of portfolio development may assist in professional growth. FUNDING SOURCE: Oakland University. There is not any potential for material gain as a result of the study.

Copyright 2004 by the American Physical Therapy Association

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