Outdated Information in PT School

[NewTestament]

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John Childs spoke to my class yesterday about residencies and PT research. He said half of everything we learn in PT is already outdated.

If you are a PT right now, what did you learn in PT school that is no longer true?

If you are in PT school right now, what do you suspect is taught in PT school but is no longer true?

 

[housestark]

Wow that is a loaded statement. Can you ask John Childs to elaborate? I'm about to start PT school in a few weeks, so I can't answer those questions, but I am curious about it!

 

[PTMattI]

function of the QL

 

[noyceguy]

Open/closed packed positions, "core training," glide and roll arthrokinematics, all modalities, etc., etc. -- all outdated.

 

[Azimuthal]

Texts are usually 10 year behind current research if that's what he means, however current literature is always presented in my curriculum so I am also curious with the 50% claim.

 

[goyo1010]

Texts are usually 10 year behind current research if that's what he means, however current literature is always presented in my curriculum so I am also curious with the 50% claim.

I'd have to agree. My program taught us what we needed to know to pass the boards; however, they were crazy with the current literature out there, as well as current in-clinic practices. There are some things you'll learn in PT school that hasn't been researched since the 80s or early 90s. Mostly because the evidence has already been established. Just because things are old or "outdated" doesn't mean they're obsolete. There is always an appropriate time and place within in PT practice for them. Granted there are some things that should just be thrown out... That's just my opinion.

 

[skitd103]

Open/closed packed positions, "core training," glide and roll arthrokinematics, all modalities, etc., etc. -- all outdated.

Would you mind elaborating on the open/closed packed and arthrokinematics? Are you referring to the accuracy of the biomechanics, the practicality of that eduction, or something else? I'm a current student and I'm curious to hear your input. Thanks!

 

[noyceguy]

Would you mind elaborating on the open/closed packed and arthrokinematics? Are you referring to the accuracy of the biomechanics, the practicality of that eduction, or something else? I'm a current student and I'm curious to hear your input. Thanks!

Cook Orthopedic Manual Therapy pg. 24; "the assertion that a manual therapist is able to apply a selected accessory-based movement that is biomechanically designed to replicate the active physiological movement is unsupported." Talks more about how many joints have irregular surfaces and don't conform to rule. Also see Management of Musculoskeletal Disorders for more on this.

Same book, on capsular patterns, pg. 45; "Despite the widespread use of paradigms such as capsular patterns and theoretically close-packed positions, this method of categorizing insert tissue has not stood up well to scrutiny and maybe inappropriate for selected tissues."

Basically these concepts are just theoretical constructs that don't have much basis in anatomical fact. Therapists use them because they have been used by therapists in the past. Probably not gonna hurt anybody with these ideas but why bother. PT school is filled with this kind of stuff. You learn it to pass the boards.

 

[DesertPT]

...all modalities...

I've always wondered why so many therapists spend so much time doing ultrasound on people...is it just because its demanded by the customer?

I think the same is mostly true for heat and ice...just something people like/want...