PHYT 8916 - Critical Inquiry in Physical Therapy
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 04, CRN 42866,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Cathy Bieber Parrott
Email: cbieberparrott@ysu.edu
Course Description
8916. Critical Inquiry in Physical Therapy. Student groups will analyze datasets and write up manuscripts for the methods, results and some discussion. Groups will peer review these written reports. Student groups will then revise the report and design a clinically-related project based on the findings of the project. Emphasis will be given to formal research proposals, clinical applications, and resources for project implementation. Three hour lecture 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Evidence Based Physical Therapy |
Fetters L, Tilson J. (2019), Evidence Based Physical Therapy. 2nd Ed. F A Davis. Available through
https://accessphysiotherapy.mhmedical.com/.
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Ch 1 Brennan ML, Arlt SP, Belshaw Z, Buckley L, Corah L, Doit H, Fajt VR, Grindlay DJC, Moberly HK, Morrow LD, Stavisky J, White C. Critically Appraised Topics (CATs) in Veterinary Medicine: Applying Evidence in Clinical Practice. Front Vet Sci. 2020 Jun 26;7:314. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00314. PMID: 32695798; PMCID: PMC7333781. |
Syllabus review, Assignment overview - group and invdividual submissions Final EB product explanation (manuscript based on CAT synthesis Review of EBP Introduction to the CAT process & form Topic determination and group assignment |
Due: Patient information and individual research Question for lit search Due: PICO for final topic (Group) |
| 8/31 | Ch 2 | From PICO to search terms. Literature search in Pubme How to get full articles if not easily available |
Due: PICO search strategy and results - group |
| 9/7 | Ch 4 | Research study validity/bias discussion. Are all threats deadly? Group work on CAT 1 for article on treatement comparison for chronic LBP |
Due: CAT form for Chronic LBP article (group) |
| 9/14 | ch 11 | Implementing EBP in clinic: critique of a study's validity & analysis of data for usefulness of results, then compare to time/financial costs and social/pt acceptance to implement CAT 1 formative faculty feedback |
|
| 9/21 | In class work on CAT 2 w faculty prompts | Due: CAT 2 form (group) | |
| 9/28 | Group presentations of CAT 2 with class discussion | Presentation handout CAT 2 - group | |
| 10/5 | In class work on CAT 3 w faculty prompts | Due: CAT 3 form (Group) | |
| 10/12 | Group presentations of CAT 3 with class discussion | Presentation handout CAT 3 - group | |
| 10/19 | Szlosek PA, Campbell M. Effectiveness of Dry Cupping as a Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis: A Critically Appraised Topic. J Sport Rehabil. 2022 Oct 10;32(2):227-233. doi: 10.1123/jsr.2022-0198. PMID: 36216334. | Synthesis of CATs for developing/updating body of knowledge Data analysis for synthesis articles Interpreting meta-analysis forest plots |
Due: peer review of another group's CATs - individual |
| 10/26 | Ch 7 & 8 | In class work on CAT synthesis with faculty prompts Synthesis of Evidence via CATS and SR as precursor to CPGs |
|
| 11/2 | Presentation of CATs synthesis | Due: Synthesis of CATs - group manuscript including recommendations for practice | |
| 11/9 | Ch 11, continued How Gen AI is tranforming medical education, link provided in Blackboard |
Reflection on EBP for improving clinical practice Gen AI and EBP |
Due: Comparison of AI generated POC and EBP recommendations |
| 11/16 | Thanksgiving Holiday | ||
| 11/23 | Group presentations on AI and EBP | Presentation handout on AI and EBP POC | |
| 11/30 | Group presentation on AI and EBP Reserved for revisions to synthesis manuscript if needed. |
Due: Certificate of completion for APTA course: online course "Where “Best Practice” Begins. Is it a CPG? A Primer for Educators, Researchers, and Future Guideline Developers" |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.