Academic Management Systems, Inc. Signs Contract with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) for Physical Therapist Clinical Performance Instrument (PT CPI)
Watertown, MA. September 19, 2007 — Academic Management Systems, Inc. (AMS,) has signed a contract with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) to automate the Physical Therapist Clinical Performance Instrument (PT CPI): Version 2006 as a national technology solution. The Web-based PT CPI instrument will be developed using the company's market-leading assessment product-CoursEval™-as the underlying technology platform. AMS will provide a comprehensive solution that includes development, implementation, training, ongoing evaluation, and technical customer service for the participating physical therapist programs.
The PT CPI is a student performance evaluation instrument used by a majority of the physical therapist education programs in the United States and Canada to evaluate physical therapist students during their clinical experiences. The PT CPI also provides students the ability to self-assess their performance during the clinical experience. There are more than 17,770 students enrolled in US physical therapist education programs. Of those, approximately 90% are using the PT CPI performance evaluation instrument. In addition, 13 physiotherapy programs in Canada currently use the PT CPI.
CoursEval, a Web-based course, instructor, rotation, and all-purpose assessment program was initially designed for health professions schools. It now supports the assessment needs of any college, university, or on-line training organization. CoursEval now serves over 140 customers including approximately 100 health professions schools and a rapidly growing number of colleges and universities.
Jody Gandy, director of APTA's Department of Academic/Clinical Education Affairs, is pleased with the conversion of the PT CPI: Version 2006 to Web-based technology, which will be coupled with an on-line training program. "Consistent training in the use of the PT CPI: Version 2006 and the development of a Web-based PT CPI will enhance the utility and application of this student performance instrument. We hope to enhance user access, ease of completion, and data entry for students and clinical educators, and to make data access and retrieval quicker and easier for academic programs," Gandy said.
Physical therapists are health care professionals who diagnose and manage individuals of all ages, from newborns to elders, who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. Physical therapists examine each individual and develop a plan of care using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. Physical therapists also work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility by developing fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles.
The American Physical Therapy Association (www.apta.org) is a national organization representing nearly 70,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students nationwide. Its goal is to foster advancements in physical therapist education, practice, and research. Consumers can access "Find a PT" to find a physical therapist in their area, as well as physical therapy news and information at www.apta.org/consumer.
Academic Management Systems, Inc. (AMS), located in Amherst, NY, is a subsidiary of Liaison International, Inc. The companies provide management software for health professions schools, colleges and universities with a focus on admissions management, Web-based accreditation management, and online course evaluations. For more information about AMS, visit www.academicmanagement.com.
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