HEALTH AND WELLNESS BEHAVIORS OF FACULTY EMPLOYED IN PHYSICAL THERAPIST EDUCATION PROGRAM
McKiernan BJ, Wisdom CM, Henderson TR, Hoffman KJ, Johnson JM, Pierson LK, and Watson JM; Rockhurst University, Kansas City, MO
INTRODUCTION/CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Studies have shown that physicians who have healthy personal habits are more likely to encourage patients to adopt related habits. To date, minimal research has been done to examine health habits of faculty who are employed in physical therapy education programs. The purpose of this study was to determine: 1) the extent to which faculty employed in entry-level PT programs practice simple healthy habits; and 2) the extent to which PT education programs promote and encourage those habits.
METHOD: An email was sent to faculty of all CAPTE-accredited PT education programs with and invitation to participate in the study and a link to the online survey. Besides gathering basic demographic data, the survey asked for feedback in several areas, including: medical checkups, sleep habits, exercise habits, eating habits, perceived stress, and perceptions of the extent to which the respondent's PT program educates and supports faculty in practicing healthy personal habits.
RESULTS: Subjects included 184 faculty members employed in entry-level PT education programs. The average age of respondents was 49.3 years. Sixty-four percent were female and 36 percent were male. Respondents averaged 13 years of employment in PT education programs. Overall, the results indicate the majority of faculty are practicing healthy habits, with exception of the following:
DISCUSSION: The results suggest that although a majority of faculty in PT programs that responded to the survey are routinely practicing a variety of healthy habits, a substantial percentage of PT faculty are not. The majority of respondents reported that their PT education programs encourage and support the practice of healthy habits on the part of faculty. As a whole, faculty indicated the largest barriers to practicing healthy habits were lack of time, work responsibilities, and family responsibilities.
CONCLUSIONS: The majority of PT faculty who participated in this study report practicing habits that should contribute to personal health and wellness. However, a large minority do not indicate routinely practicing healthy habits. This may not make them the best role models for encouraging healthy habits in PT students.
McKiernan BJ, Wisdom CM, Henderson TR, Hoffman KJ, Johnson JM, Pierson LK, and Watson JM; Rockhurst University, Kansas City, MO
INTRODUCTION/CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Studies have shown that physicians who have healthy personal habits are more likely to encourage patients to adopt related habits. To date, minimal research has been done to examine health habits of faculty who are employed in physical therapy education programs. The purpose of this study was to determine: 1) the extent to which faculty employed in entry-level PT programs practice simple healthy habits; and 2) the extent to which PT education programs promote and encourage those habits.
METHOD: An email was sent to faculty of all CAPTE-accredited PT education programs with and invitation to participate in the study and a link to the online survey. Besides gathering basic demographic data, the survey asked for feedback in several areas, including: medical checkups, sleep habits, exercise habits, eating habits, perceived stress, and perceptions of the extent to which the respondent's PT program educates and supports faculty in practicing healthy personal habits.
RESULTS: Subjects included 184 faculty members employed in entry-level PT education programs. The average age of respondents was 49.3 years. Sixty-four percent were female and 36 percent were male. Respondents averaged 13 years of employment in PT education programs. Overall, the results indicate the majority of faculty are practicing healthy habits, with exception of the following:
- 46% had BMI scores of 25.0 (overweight) or greater.
- 27% of the group reported fewer than 7 hours of sleep per night on average.
- 37% reported exercising less than the recommended 150 minutes per week for aerobic exercise.
- 55% reported strength training fewer than the recommended 2 days per week.
DISCUSSION: The results suggest that although a majority of faculty in PT programs that responded to the survey are routinely practicing a variety of healthy habits, a substantial percentage of PT faculty are not. The majority of respondents reported that their PT education programs encourage and support the practice of healthy habits on the part of faculty. As a whole, faculty indicated the largest barriers to practicing healthy habits were lack of time, work responsibilities, and family responsibilities.
CONCLUSIONS: The majority of PT faculty who participated in this study report practicing habits that should contribute to personal health and wellness. However, a large minority do not indicate routinely practicing healthy habits. This may not make them the best role models for encouraging healthy habits in PT students.