With studies estimating burnout rates as high as 71% in physical therapy students, the impact on teaching and learning is evident. Students are increasingly struggling with anxiety, stress, and feelings of inadequacy, which can hinder their academic and clinical success. Join us for an engaging conversation with Dr. Christopher Patterson, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, from Azusa Pacific University, who will share his wealth of experience and practical strategies for building resilience and preparing students for success in real-world practice.

Dr. Tracy Moore, PT, DPT, ONC, and Education Lead at PhysioU, will guide the discussion, focusing on:

Insights into the current state of PT and PTA education for today’s learners -

Methods to boost confidence in budding clinicians while maintaining high academic standards
Practical tips to bolster resilience in your students

Featured Speaker: Christopher Patterson PT, DPT, PhD, OCS

Dr. Patterson completed his undergraduate studies at Arizona State University and went on to complete a Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Azusa Pacific University in 2006 and a PhD in Physical Therapy, concentrated on lower extremity and spine biomechanics, at Loma Linda University in 2021. He is also a Certified Orthopedic Specialist and completed the Lower Quarter Biomechanics Fellowship at the Movement Performance Institute in 2016. Patterson began his teaching career at Cal Poly Pomona as a kinesiology instructor and transitioned to full time faculty at APU in 2015. He currently teaches in the DPT and the PhD (Rehabilitation and Movement Science) programs and continues to practice as a physical therapist, part-time, at Covina Hills Sports Medicine in San Dimas, CA. Patterson’s areas of expertise include orthopedic physical therapy, running analysis, gait analysis, and biomechanics.

00:00 Dr. Christopher's Insights on PT and PTA Education

05:09 Adapting Teaching to Meet Changing Student Needs

10:34 Creating a Safe Learning Environment in PT Program

20:01 Embracing Ambiguity in Learning

25:17 Building Student Resilience and Confidence in Clinical Rotations

37:46 Discussing Textbook Usage and Alternatives

43:58 Physiotherapy Resources and Embracing Change

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