A Survey of PT and PTA Education Programs: Level of Preparedness to Support Students’ Mental Health and Wellness

Background and Purpose: Healthcare professions students, including physical therapist and physical therapist assistant students, experience elevated levels of stress and anxiety as well as challenges to overall wellness. The purposes of this study were to: (1) collect information on the incidence and impact of mental health and wellness issues in students from the perspectives of faculty and staff in physical therapy education programs, and (2) determine their readiness to address students’ wellness issues. Subjects: Surveys were sent to 223 ACAPT affiliated physical therapist education programs, and 351 physical therapist assistant education programs for distribution to academic and clinical faculty members and student affairs personnel. Methods: The surveys asked about mental health and wellness of students in eight dimensions of wellness: emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, and spiritual. The survey also asked about preparedness to address student mental health issues. Responses on Likert scales were centered and plotted. Responses to open-ended questions were analyzed using grounded theory. Data were reviewed, coded, and assessed for themes with discrepancies addressed by task force members. Results: The most frequently reported issues were academic performance anxiety, financial strain, clinical performance anxiety, generalized anxiety, relationship issues, and student health issues, and respondents reported feeling prepared to address these issues. Issues rarely encountered included environmental safety, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, sexual abuse, suicidal ideation, or a psychotic episode, and these were also the issues that respondents felt least prepared to address. Discussion and Conclusion: The literature supports the results of our survey with regards to student mental health issues encountered and the strength and challenges of dealing with them. Recommendations for faculty and staff to support student mental health are identified. Awareness of and comfort with addressing these issues is paramount to supporting our students and the PT profession.