Our program mission is to develop entry-level therapists that are reflective practitioners and problem solvers that engage in evidence-based practice. This mission informs every aspect of our research in the areas of pedagogy and practice. A major focus of our scholarship is our Standardized Patient Initiative (SPI). We hope to further develop this educational tool so it may continue to be used to benefit our students, and the larger physical therapy community, for many years to come.

Samples of research activities related to pedagogy and practice are provided below:

Research in Pedagogical Methods:
Assessing Reflection and Higher Order Thinking in Electronic Discussion Threads in the Clinical Setting.
GW PT Investigators: Dr. Plack
Collaborators: Drs. Dunfee, Rindflesch, Driscoll, and Hollman

Assessing Reflective Journal Writing
GW PT Investigators: Dr. Plack
Collaborators: Drs. Driscoll, Blissett, McKenna, and T. Plack

Validating a Standardized Patient Instrument in an Entry Level Program
GW PT Investigators: Drs. Costello and Plack; Prof. Embrack

Reflective Practice in the Classroom and Clinic
Using Virtual Action Learning Sets to Facilitate Reflective Thinking and Problem Solving in the Clinical Setting
GW PT Investigators: Drs. Plack and Maring
Collaborators: Drs. Dunfee, Rindflesch, Driscoll, Hollman, Cuppernull, Marquez, and Greenberg

Acting on Reflection: Does Student Performance on a Standardized Patient Examination Improve with Reflection and Revisiting the ‘Patient’?
GW PT Investigators: Drs. Plack and Maring
Collaborators: Drs. Blatt, Mintz, and Simmens

Reflective Practice: A Model to Enhance Professional Behaviors, Integration and Critical Thinking within a Case Studies Classroom Experience
GW PT Investigator: Dr. Plack
Collaborator: Dr. Santasier

Professional Development
Developing Communication, Interpersonal Skills and a Professional Identity within the Physical Therapy Community of Practice
GW PT Investigator: Dr. Plack

Collaboration Between Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants: Fostering the Development of the Preferred Relationship within a Classroom Setting
GW PT Investigator: Dr. Plack
Collaborators: Drs. Williams, Miller, Malik, Sniffen, Gilner, and McKenna

Factors Predicting Success of Physical Therapist Assistant Graduates on the National Physical Therapy Exam
GW PT Investigators: Drs. Maring and Costello

Predictors of Minority Student Retention in Physical Therapy Programs
GW PT Investigator: Prof. Embrack

Assessment of Teaching Methodologies:
Comparison of Student Performance based on Format of Delivery: Distance Education versus Traditional Classroom Instruction
GW PT Investigators: Drs. Maring, Costello, and Plack

Comparison of Faculty Expectations to Student Performance on a Clinical Skills Performance Instrument
GW PT Investigators: Drs. Maring, Costello, and Plack
Collaborators: Dr. Melson

Computer Assisted Instruction versus Traditional Instruction in Teaching Human Gross Anatomy
GW PT Investigator: Dr. Plack