Self-Efficacy of Physical Therapist Student Outcomes (SEPTSO): longitudinal responsiveness over a three-year curriculum.

Background: Understanding the relationship between self-efficacy and academic and clinical education outcomes may improve professional physical therapist education.

Objectives: To document the longitudinal responsiveness of Self-Efficacy of Physical Therapist Student Outcomes (SEPTSO) scores from a single cohort throughout a three-year professional physical therapist curriculum and also to explore relationships between SEPTSO, grade point average (GPA), clinical education outcomes, and first-time pass rate on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).

Methods: Thirty-five Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students participated. The SEPTSO was administered electronically during semesters one and nine. The final GPA, Physical Therapist Manual for the Assessment of Clinical Skills (PT MACS), and NPTE outcomes were recorded.

Results: There was a significant increase in SEPTSO scores from semester 1 to 9 (t₍₁₆₎ = 34.55, p < .01, Cohen's d = 9.79, n = 17). In semester 1 (n = 35), there were no significant associations between SEPTSO scores and GPA (r = .011, p = .949), PT MACS outcomes (r = .092, p = .867), or first-time NPTE pass rate (r_s = -0.088, p = .634).

Conclusion: Longitudinal responsiveness of the SEPTSO in a three-year DPT curriculum was demonstrated. There were no associations between SEPTSO scores and other outcome measures.