PHILOSOPHY OF RESEARCH

For the growth of the physical therapy profession and ultimate improvement in patient care services, the Department faculty value the importance of continued learning and development of the body of professional knowledge. In this regard, the faculty believes the professional education environment must provide opportunity for, and involvement in, research activities. These research areas, necessary to the advancement of the profession, include basic and applied clinical research, administrative research, and educational research activities. The Department, therefore, is committed to the development of research resources with opportunities for the involvement of students, faculty, and community practitioners.

Nicaragua Program

In an effort to assist the Universidad Autonoma de Nicaragua (UNAN) physical therapy curriculum, the PT Department at Texas State, under the direction of Suzy Dougherty has developed an instructional PT course and taught at UNAN. The purpose is two fold. First it provides humanitarian relief to the people of Nicaragua in the form of improved health care services. And second, the participants from Texas State take part in a program which exposes them to a new culture in a direct, hands-on way. In addition, the students and faculty engage in research projects attempting to evaluate the proposed benefits of the program on cross-cultural skill development by the participants. Unfortunately this program is on hold for the present time pending the safety and security of those who might choose to travel to Nicaragua.