Competencies in Context: Adapting the World Health Organization Rehabilitation Competency Framework for Entry-Level Physical Therapy Practice.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To apply a structured methodology for adapting and adopting the World Health Organization's Rehabilitation Competency Framework (RCF) and present the resulting framework, reflecting the values, beliefs, and competency requirements of entry-level physical therapy (PT) practice at a large US academic medical center. DESIGN: A structured, 4-phase process to adapt and adopt the RCF to a specific context, including planning, drafting, review, and finalization. An iterative approach to consensus building was used throughout the drafting phase of the study. SETTING: A large academic medical center and health system. PARTICIPANTS: Five experienced US PT educators (N=5) with varied clinical and academic experience. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Not applicable. RESULTS: The process resulted in the creation of the Johns Hopkins Medicine Physical Therapy Competency Framework (JH PT CF), a streamlined adaptation of the RCF, contextualized for US-based PT education and practice. The JH PT CF consists of 13 competencies, 48 associated behaviors, and 16 activities with 49 associated tasks, organized into 4 domains: Patient Management, Professionalism, Practice-Based Learning and Improvement, and Systems-Based Practice and Management. CONCLUSIONS: The JH PT CF offers a practical model for implementing competency-based education in rehabilitation education. Although tailored to the specific mission and values of one institution, the methodology and resulting framework provide a replicable model for broader implementation across rehabilitation disciplines, providing a template for other institutions to tailor the RCF to their specific contexts. This adaptation supports the standardization and enhancement of rehabilitation education, driving implementation of competency-based education and contributing to a common language of expectations for rehabilitation educators, students, and employers.