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<p class="MsoNormal">Dear PT Student:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You may have heard about an APTA core document entitled, Minimum Required Skills of Physical Therapist Graduates at Entry-Level. This document is a list of skills that was developed through a consensus process. The skills were considered
by those who participated “foundational skills that are indispensable for a new graduate physical therapist to perform on patients/clients.” I am conducting a study to examine 1) whether or not PT students have practiced these skills on patients/clients during
their clinical education experiences and 2) the level of competence students feel they reach by the end of their clinical education experiences.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You were selected as a potential participant because you are a PT student nearing graduation and your program faculty agreed to assist me with the study. Their role is as a conduit of information from me to you. They will not have access
to any data and will not be involved in any data collection or analysis. <o:p>
</o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am asking for approximately 30 minutes of your time to complete an online survey. In the survey, you are asked to indicate the level of competence you think you have reached for each of the “minimal skills” on the list. Click on this
link to access the survey: <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JHNMW35">https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JHNMW35</a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This research project has been approved by the Institutional Review Board at the University of Vermont. Completion of the survey indicates your consent to participate in the study, allowing me to use the information that you provide.
You will remain anonymous.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will download the data from the survey website and it will be kept in a file on a password-protected computer in my office at the University of Vermont. The only risk for you is a slight chance that you will feel uncomfortable about
your performance if you find that you have not performed each of the minimal skills. However, please remember, that this list was developed through consensus of only a relatively small number of physical therapists and your performance is not going to be
linked to any formal tests or assessments. There is no direct benefit to you for participating, aside from helping to increase the knowledge and understanding of the education of physical therapists. You may withdraw at any time simply by not completing
a survey. You may also be withdrawn by the researchers if you are excluded or withdraw from your PT program.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you in advance for your assistance. Your responses will make a significant contribution to understanding this contemporary issue in physical therapy. If you have any questions about the study, please contact me, Diane Jette, at 802-656-3252
or <a href="mailto:diane.jette@uvm.edu">diane.jette@uvm.edu</a>. If you have any questions regarding the protection of human subjects, please contact Nancy Stalnaker, the Director of the Research Protections Office at the University of Vermont at 802-656-5040.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img border="0" width="200" height="46" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.jpg@01CD422E.B0B197D0" alt="Description: cid:image003.jpg@01CD1357.12776730"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Diane U. Jette, PT, DSc<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif"">Diane U. Jette, PT, DSc</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif"">Professor and Chair</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif"">Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif"">University of Vermont</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif"">Rowell 305</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif"">106 Carrigan Ave.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif"">Burlington, VT 05405</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif"">802-656-3252</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Brush Script MT"">Nicki Silberman,
</span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Brush Script MT"">PT, DPT</span><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Brush Script MT""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Director of Clinical Education<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Associate Professor<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Division of Physical Therapy<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Long Island University<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1 University Plaza, HS 201<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Brooklyn, NY 11201<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Phone: 718-488-3381<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fax: 718-780-4002<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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