Predictors of academic and clinical performance in a baccalaureate physical therapy program

Abstract

The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the best predictors of academic and clinical performance in a physical therapy undergraduate program. The records of 42 graduates of the program were reviewed to obtain data concerning 1) preadmission cumulative grade point averages (GPAs), 2) written composition scores, 3) interview ratings (INTVs), 4) preprofessional faculty ratings, 5) mean Allied Health Professions Admission Test (MAHPAT) scores, and 6) scores on the comprehensive examination administered at the end of the educational program. The results of the comprehensive written and oral-practical examination were used as a measure of the students' academic achievement and clinical performance. Multiple regression analyses revealed that both academic achievement and clinical performance can be predicted reliably (p less than .001) from the preadmission requirements. The two viable predictors of academic achievement were GPA and MAHPAT. The GPA and MAHPAT accounted for 30.5% and 8.0%, respectively, of the total variance (40.6%) in academic achievement. The INTV and GPA were the two viable predictors of clinical performance. They accounted for 34.6% and 7.5%, respectively, of the total variance (44.8%) in clinical performance.