Done With “EASE” Implementing Curricular Quality Improvement for Acute Care Clinical Readiness in an Entry-Level DPT Program

Background & Purpose: Previous studies suggest physical therapist students report feeling unprepared and encounter difficulties in the acute care clinical environment, leading to increased challenges and the need for remediation. The Early Acute Service Experience (EASE) program was developed as a dual-purpose initiative to ease the transition from the academic setting to acute care practice while fostering meaningful service with clinical partners. Approach: EASE requires Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students to spend one weekend with a physical therapist in a local hospital functioning in a role similar to a rehabilitation technician. To prepare, students complete an e-learning module focused on key knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for acute care, participate in a simulation, and complete the Acute Care Confidence Survey (ACCS). Students then repeat the ACCS and submit a written reflection following the experience. Outcomes: Post-experience data from the ACCS of 144 DPT students revealed a statistically significant increase in overall confidence, as well as in the judgment, manual skills, and instruction subscales (p < .001). Discussion & Conclusion: Given the complexity of the acute care setting, early exposure through EASE may offer a promising strategy to enhance student confidence and readiness for clinical education. This approach not only addresses common student challenges but also strengthens partnerships with clinical sites through meaningful engagement and service. EASE may serve as a scalable model for improving student performance and supporting clinical collaboration in physical therapist education.