1. AMERICAN BOARD OF PHYSICAL THERAPY SPECIALITIES: ENHANCING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH CERTIFICATION

2. The Path to Clinical Excellence

3. Clinical Excellence: Necessities Knowledge Clinical Reasoning Movement Virtues Philosophy of PT Practice Multidimensional Patient-centered Collaborative with patient- Reflective Practice Caring, Commitment Ethical Practice Primary focus; Centered on function Jensen GM et al (2000) Phys Ther 80(1):28 – 43.

4. Clinical Excellence: The Common Path  Entry level graduation  Years of experience  Continuing education Accountability Competency  Post –professional residency  Specialization  Post-professional degrees

5. OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this presentation, you'll be able to:  Understand the Specialty Certification process  Understand the ABPTS certification and maintenance of specialty certification program  Describe the process for certification and maintenance of specialty certification  Describe the minimum eligibility requirements for certification and recertification for specialization  List the current areas of Areas of Specialty Practice  Describe the role of clinical residencies in the certification process  Identify top motivations to pursue ABPTS Specialty certification

6. What is Clinical Specialty Certification?  Specialization is a process for physical therapist Established to provide formal recognition for physical therapists with advanced clinical knowledge, experience, and skills in a special area of practice Professional education and development Clinical Expertise in specific areas of practice  Clinical specialization responds to a specific area of patient need  Assist consumers and the health care community in identifying physical therapists who are specialists in a unique area of practice

7. Physical Therapy Specialist Certification Recognizing Clinical Excellence

8. What does Clinical Specialization Require?  Broad based foundation of physical therapy education and clinical practice Combined with…  Depth and breadth of knowledge in specialty area Knowledge

9.  Advanced clinical expertise, skills, and experience unique to a specialized practice area  Expertise in clinical reasoning applied to specialty practice area What does Clinical Specialization Require? Knowledge

10. How does our profession recognize advanced knowledge & clinical expertise?  Clinicians who have specialized area of practice and seek professional recognition and advancement  Engage in rigorous process for Board Specialty Certification Application criteria and standards Board examination Maintenance of specialty certification  Process overseen by American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) Specialty Councils

11. Purposes of Board Certification  Promote highest possible level of physical therapy care  Promote ongoing development of science and art underlying each specialty practice

12. Purposes of Board Certification  Recognize specialists through a reliable and valid method for certification of specialty practitioners  Identify for the consumers and the health care community physical therapists who are specialists in a unique area of practice

13. Important Elements of Board Certification  Voluntary  Unrestrictive  Coordinated

14. Areas of Specialty Practice Recognized through Board Certification 1. Cardiovascular & Pulmonary 2. Clinical Electrophysiologic 3. Geriatrics 4. Orthopaedics 5. Pediatrics 6. Neurology 7. Sports 8. Women’s Health

15. Minimum Eligibility Requirements for Clinical Specialization Certification  Current license to practice physical therapy in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands  Practice eligibility requirement is 2,000 hours minimum of direct patient care in the specialty area, 25% (500) of which must have occurred in the last 3 years.

16. Minimum Eligibility Requirements  Direct patient care must include activities in each of the elements of patient/client management applicable to the specialty area and included in the Description of Specialty Practice

17. Minimum Eligibility Requirements  Practice elements of patient/client management as defined in the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice  Examination  Evaluation  Diagnosis  Prognosis  Intervention

18. Minimum Eligibility Requirements  Other requirements specific to the specialty such as: Emergency care certification ACLS certification Patient reports Case reflections

19. Other Options to Meet the Eligibility Requirements for Specialty Certification  Clinical Residency A planned program of post-professional clinical and didactic education that is designed to advance significantly the physical therapist's preparation as a provider of patient care services in a defined area of clinical practice Specialty councils may allow completion of an APTA-credentialed clinical residency to replace all or a portion of the practice eligibility requirements

20. Assessment Board Examination  The Specialty Councils of ABPTS develop the specialist certification examinations  Specialists must pass a rigorous examination that tests the application of advanced knowledge and clinical skills  In conjunction with the National Board of Medical Examiners  Criterion referenced exam Another exam!!!

21. Assessment of Specialty Practice & Expertise  Patient Care  Teaching  Administration  Consultation  Communication  Interpretation of Research Components of the Examination

22. How are advanced clinical knowledge and skills determined for Board Certification?  Description of Specialty Practice (DSP) Describes the advanced knowledge, skills, and abilities for clinical practice in the specialty area Reliable and valid process for assessing expertise domain and current standards of specialty practice

23. Description of Specialty Practice (DSP)  Based on data from an extensive practice analysis research study Conducted by Specialty Councils and ABPTS  Document from which the certification exam is developed

24. Professional Development Path Toward Clinical Specialization  Clinical experience in specialty area  Seek mentor Board certified specialist  Professional development Knowledge and skills Continuing Education Post professional clinical residency Post professional education

25. How to Prepare for the Board Certification?  Resources Description of Specialty Practice Resources available from APTA sections  Recommended textbooks  Reading lists  Advanced Clinical Practice Courses  Study Groups ***ABPTS does not approve or review material or course content

26. Specialist Certification Application Process  Application APTA Professional Development office  Deadline: July of the preceding year To sit for the 2012 exam, applications must be postmarked by July 31, 2011  Each application undergoes a review to evaluate eligibility of the applicant to sit for board examination

27. Specialty Certification Fees Certification is valid for ten years with no maintenance fees APTA memberNon-member Applicant Review $500 $845 Examination $800$1,525 Total $1,300$2,370

28. When is the certification exam administered?  Exams are offered once per year for a two-week exam period  Candidates may sit for the exam between February-March ● 2011– February 26–March 12, 2011 ● 2012-

29. Examination Format  Computerized examinations, administered at Prometric, Inc. testing centers  FORMAT: Multiple choice questions including case scenarios, videos, pictures

30. Recognition of Certified Clinical Specialists  Recognized at Opening Ceremony of APTA Combined Sections Meeting (CSM)  Recognized by sections and chapters  Inclusion in online Directory of Certified Specialists  Only individuals who have successfully completed the ABPTS certification process may use the term “Board-Certified Clinical Specialist”

31. Board-Certified Clinical Specialist- Certified Specialist Initials  CCS - Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Certified Specialist  ECS - Electrophysiologic Certified Specialist  GCS - Geriatric Certified Specialist  NCS - Neurologic Certified Specialist  OCS - Orthopaedic Certified Specialist  PCS - Pediatric Certified Specialist  SCS - Sports Certified Specialist  WCS - Women’s Health Certified Specialist

32. Board-Certified Clinical Specialists Who Are They?

33. Total Numbers of Certified Specialists by Year Total 2010- 10,348 individuals

34. Total Numbers of Certified Specialists by Area 10% 1.5% 11% 8% 59% 1%

35. Age Age - Certified Clinical Specialists

36. Gender Gender - Certified Clinical Specialists

37. Top 3 Work Settings: Certified Clinical Specialists  Private PT Office  Health system or hospital-based outpatient facility or clinic  Academic Institution

38. Top 4 Positions held by Certified Clinical Specialists  Supervisor/Director of PT  Staff or Senior PT  Sole Owner/Partner PT Practice  Academic Faculty

39. Why do physical therapists become Board Certified Clinical Specialists?

40. Top Motivations to Pursue ABPTS Certification  Proof of expertise in specialty area  Personal challenge or achievement  Professional career goal  Earn a credential that reflects advanced practice to patients, physicians, & payers Source: Survey of certified specialists (2007)

41. What is the impact of the board certification process on the specialists?  Specialists report that board certification has had a positive impact on... Sense of personal achievement Self-confidence & professional growth Patient care, including better outcomes Increased credibility with patients & referral sources Recognition in clinical, academic and community settings Sources: Survey of certified specialists (2007)

42. How has board specialty certification influenced specialists careers?  Opened doors for professional growth Consultations Invited Presentations New job opportunities Leadership & service Teaching opportunities Research collaboration Networking

43. Do employers support the certification process?  Employer Support of ABPTS Certification 48% of employers pay at least some of the costs associated with obtaining clinical specialization. Of these employers, 64% indicate that they subsidize all the costs of obtaining specialist certification  Value expertise of specialist High patient care standards Serve as mentors for others Provide team leadership Source: Survey of candidates (2007)

44. Value of ABPTS Certification to Certified Specialists  79% report that certification is a indicator of clinical competence  90% report that certification is an indicator of depth and breadth of knowledge in an area of specialty practice  High rate (68%) of specialist choose to recertify Source: Survey of certified specialists (2007)

45. Is there a Renewal Process for the Specialty Certification ?  Yes!!  What is the process? Maintenance of Specialty Certification Currency of clinical practice and expertise in the specialty Currency of advanced knowledge and skills in the specialty

46. Maintenance of Specialty Certification Process  Initial Certification is valid for 10 years.  To maintain the credential, a specialist must meet the requirements of maintenance of certification before his or her certificate expires  ABPTS has developed process for assessing currency and recertification standards  Ensures to the public the validity of advanced skills and expertise of the specialist

47. Purpose of Maintenance of Specialty Certification  To verify current competence as an advanced practitioner in the specialty area  Evaluation of professional development and clinical experience  To encourage ongoing education and professional growth

48. Maintenance of Specialty Certification Requirements  Direct patient care hours in specialty (2000 hr)  Professional Development Portfolio (PDP) OR  Current written examination FUTURE MODEL  Maintenance of Specialty Competency Continued Competency Process in development

49. Professional Development Portfolio  Documentation of professional development activities and advanced clinical practice related to specialty practice since initial certification  Examples: √ Continuing Education courses √ Clinical Supervision √ College/University courses √ Teaching continuing education or college courses √ Research presentations (platform or poster) √ Presentations to professional groups, classes, or in-services √ Presentations to community or client-based groups √ Author or editor of book chapters, journal articles, grant proposals √ Committee membership in professional organization √ Consultation

50. Board Certified Clinical Specialists  Professionals with clinical expertise  Advancing our profession  Making a difference in lives of our patients CCS, ECS, GCS, NCS, OCS, PCS, SCS, WCS

51. For more information contact APTA Residency/Fellowship & Specialist Certification Department 1111 North Fairfax Street Alexandria, VA 22314 800/999-2782, ext 8520 http://www.apta.org/specialist_certification

53. Literature about Specialization or Specialists  Bryan J, Blake A. How do other health care professionals view specialist certification? PT Magazine. 2004;12(9):54-57.  Bryan J, Gill-Body K, Blake A. How employers view specialist certification. PT Magazine. 2003;11(1):50-51.  Thompson M. The role of higher education in the career paths of board-certified clinical specialists in geriatric physical therapy: implications for professional and post professional education. J Phys Ther Educ. 2001;15(2):10-16.

54. Literature about Specialization or Specialists  Hart DL, Dobrzykowski EZ. Influence of orthopaedic clinical specialist certification on clinical outcomes J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2000;30(4):183-193  Milidonis MK, Godges JJ, Jensen GM. Nature of clinical practice for specialists in orthopaedic physical therapy. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1999;29(4):240-247  Ellison J, Becker M, Nelson AJ. Attitudes of physical therapists who possess sports specialist certification. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1997;25(6):400-406

55. Literature about Specialization or Specialists  Smith LC. The decision to specialize. 2001;9(6):52-59  Edmonds MM. What if? PT Magazine. 1999;7(4):44-49  Wynn KE. Why recertify? PT Magazine. 1996;4(11):68-70  Williams DO. Answering the bell: PTs & school sports. PT Magazine. 1996;4(12):36-39  Woods EN. What’s so special about specialist certification? PT Magazine. 1994;2(2):46-51  Ferrier MPB. One stage in professional evolution. Clinical Management. 1991;11(2):66-70