Do Differences in Programmatic Resource Investments Result in Different 3-Year Pass Rates on the U.S. National Physical Therapy Examination?

PURPOSE: The rising cost of health professions education is well documented and a growing concern among educators; however, little is known about the implications of resource investment on student success. The objective of this study was to determine whether programs with higher National Physical Therapist Exam (NPTE) pass rates invested significantly more on programmatic resources.

METHODS: This observational study used data from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education's (CAPTE) Annual Accreditation Report including all accredited physical therapist programs from the United States who graduated physical therapist students in 2011. Resource expenditures were recorded as both raw and as an index variable (resources per student). Descriptive statistics and comparisons (using chi-square and t-tests) among programs with <100% and 100% pass rates were analyzed from 2009-2011. An ANCOVA was used to determine differences in raw resource expenditures and resource expenditures per student.

RESULTS: There were no differences in raw resource expenditures between programs with <100% and 100% pass rates. Programs with 100% pass rates were provided more resource expenditures per student for personnel, overall budget, and core faculty.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest programs with 100% pass rates invested significantly more per student for selected resources.