Predicting PTCPI Scores: The Role of Student Personality

Background: Physical therapist student clinical performance is an essential indicator of professional competence later as a practicing clinician. The Physical Therapist Clinical Performance Instrument (PTCPI) is the most common instrument used by physical therapy programs in the United States. Currently, however, researchers have found little to no association between PTCPI scores and indicators of academic success (e.g., GPA, GRE) or program success (i.e., NPTE pass rate). The absence of these associations raises critical concerns about the construct validity of the PTCPI and suggests that other non-cognitive student attributes may explain variation in the instrument. Therefore, the purpose of the present dissertation was to examine the associations between CI-rated PTCPI scores and PT student personality attributes. Methodology: After IRB approval, data were drawn from both archival and primary data sources from second and third-year PT students (N = 123) at a physical therapy program located in the southern United States. Data included scores from the 60-item HEXACO-PI-R personality instrument, CI-rated PTCPI scores from their first full-time clinical education experience, first-year cumulative professional GPA, undergraduate GPA, and prerequisite GRE scores. The HEXACO-PI-R instrument consists of 6 broad domains (Honesty-Humility, Emotionality, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Openness to Experience) and four facets subsumed in each domain. Results: Bivariate correlations and multivariate linear regressions found a consistent relationship between the HEXACO-PI-R and PTCPI outcomes. Specifically, the Honesty-Humility domain o significantly negatively correlated to CI-rated PTCPI scores from both the midterm and final evaluations. However, there was no association with any personality domain and PTCPI midterm to final evaluation change scores. When controlling for academic factors, Honesty-Humility explained unique variation in PTCPI scores. Exploratory analyses further revealed that the HEXACO-PI-R facets might predict PTCPI scores. Discussion: By examining personality characteristics as potential predictors at both the bivariate and multivariate levels, the present dissertation study found correlations and predictors of PTCPI scores. Although the effect sizes were small in magnitude, they were statistically significant and largely consistent with personality research in theory. In particular, the Honesty-Humility domain emerged as a significant variable to consider with CI-rated PTCPI scores. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]