CAPP Certificate Program

CAPP Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Treatment Reflection Expectations

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A. Purpose and Mission of the CAPP PTA Treatment Reflection

B. Recommendations for Writing the CAPP PTA Treatment Reflection

C. Reflection Revisions/ Resubmissions

D. Return to CAPP Program Information

A. PURPOSE AND MISSION OF THE CAPP PTA TREATMENT REFLECTION

The purpose of developing the CAPP Treatment Reflection is to serve as a capstone project to evaluate the PTA’s ability to synthesize their understanding of the CAPP curriculum for obtaining the CAPP PTA certificate. PTA candidates are required to demonstrate a culmination of their acquired knowledge, skills and critical thinking processes obtained through the CAPP didactic and practical course instruction and testing.

The PTA chooses a patient with whom they participated in administering treatment and develops a professional paper whereby the PTA reflects on the patient’s specialized physical therapy from start to finish.

The PTA demonstrates their ability to integrate coursework and current evidence into understanding and executing the treatment plan of a patient with a condition related to pregnancy or postpartum (CAPP-OB) or a pelvic condition (CAPP-Pelvic) under the guidance of a licensed physical therapist (who is trained in treating this population), including the ability to identify red flags, patient responses to treatment, progress, setbacks, and modifications. The reflection should demonstrate ongoing communication with the evaluating physical therapist, changes made to the treatment plan, and reflection on how the skills learned in the CAPP education enhanced the PTA's contribution to the patient's physical therapy experience and outcome.  

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WRITING THE CAPP PTA TREATMENT REFLECTION

1. Organize the paper in the same order and with the same section headings using bold font as in the CAPP PTA Treatment Rubric which is posted with the CAPP information on the Academy website. This allows reviewers to locate all required pieces of information easily. Treatment Reflection Reviewers will score your Treatment Reflection using this rubric. Sub-headings to further clarify the inclusion of required information is optional.

 Cover Page

  • Create an appropriate, descriptive title for the Treatment Reflection 

    • Highlight the topic, an unusual outcome, or give insight into what the treatment plan is about 

  • Identify if seeking the CAPP-Pelvic or the CAPP-OB

  • Document the case submission date

  • Example:

The Importance of Postpartum Scar Management and Functional Exercise

CAPP-OB

April 14, 2025

  • DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR NAME ON THE COVER PAGE OR ANYWHERE IN YOUR REFLECTION

    • All Reflections are blinded to reviewers

 Body of Paper - Required sections: 

  • Introduction and Patient History

    • Summarize the patient’s condition diagnosis(es)

    • Medical history, patient demographics, and comorbidities

    • Previous and current function

    • Patient’s goals in therapy

    • PT plan of care, including frequency and duration

  • Examination

    • Summarize the physical therapy findings to allow for a cohesive overview of this patient’s care

      • 1-2 paragraphs

    • List physical therapy goals

    • Outcome tools chosen and why

      • If no outcome tool was used, explain why

  • Intervention

    • Describe the specific interventions used at each visit and include patient response to treatment, evidence supporting treatment intervention, and reflection on treatment intervention based on patient response

  • Communication and Collaboration 

    • Describe communication with the evaluating PT, including patient response, changes in condition, need for progress note/updated plan of care/outcome measure assessment 

    • Describe communication with others on the patient’s care team

  • Outcomes

    • Identify each PT goal and whether the goal was met at discharge

    • Patient response to the treatment plan

    • Length of therapy from evaluation to discharge and number of visits

  • Treatment Reflection

    • Explain objective measures and why they were chosen

      • E.g., pain, vital signs, ROM, strength, number of incontinence pads used, etc.

    • Describe the patient’s status/changes at each visit

      • E.g., mobility, ROM, strength, pain, function, ADLs

    • Reflect on the impact of psychosocial factors that promoted or hindered the patient’s progress in therapy

      • E.g., issues interfering with adherence to the HEP, support system, finances, access to care 

    • Describe factors that supported or were barriers to achieving the PT goals

    • Reflect on specific learning from the CAPP training that was most valuable in helping you to treat this patient, and include if there were areas that you felt less confident in, and thoughts on why

    • Explain if you would do anything different in the future with a similar patient based on this patient’s treatment plan, including why or why not 

  • References

    • Appropriately included references throughout the paper when citing evidence from peer-reviewed literature

    • Provide a Reference List of all references cited in the paper (See items #6,#7 below)

2. Develop a quality Treatment Reflection at a professional/post-graduate level.

  • Use accepted English syntax, grammar, spelling, consistent tense, and punctuation

  • Use full sentences and paragraphs throughout the paper. It is unacceptable to use bullet point formatting, shorthand and abbreviations, and should not resemble clinic notes

  • The first time an acronym is used, it must be defined (e.g., DRA, PFM, SUI)

  • Ask a colleague familiar with the English language to proofread and provide feedback on readability and professionalism of your paper before submission, especially if English is not the author’s first language

  • Treatment plans that are difficult to read because of formatting, syntax, grammar, spelling, and punctuation will automatically be returned for revision

3. The submitted paper will be critiqued using the CAPP Treatment Reflection Rubric and will fail to pass if items on the rubric are not adequately addressed. For instance, if no barriers to treatment existed, the author must clearly state that barriers did not exist and further explain as appropriate. Use the rubric and this “Expectations” document when developing your paper to ensure each required item on the rubric is included in the paper, and reviewers can see the necessary information.

4. Plagiarism is unacceptable. As with any professional writing, information used word-for-word from another source is to be placed in quotes with a footnote citing the source. Background information is expected to be integrated from appropriate sources and rewritten in your own words as it pertains to your subject, giving credit to the sources of ideas expressed. It is not acceptable to place large blocks of copied information within your Reflection, even if referenced. Please review the article explaining types of plagiarism at www.plagiarism.org for clarification. The plagiarism policies a student follows in an academic institution continue to be pertinent to the professional PTA. 

5. Use standardized medical terminology. If quoting a reference that uses outdated terminology, the author should provide an explanation of updated terminology following the quote. (E.g.: “excessive tension of pelvic floor muscles” rather than “muscle spasm.”)

6. Cite references throughout the paper and in the References List according to the American Medical Association (AMA) or American Psychological Association (APA) style. AMA and APA style formats are easily obtained through the internet. Here are examples of how to make your references consistent throughout the paper:

7. Select references from recognized scientific, primarily peer-reviewed sources.

  • Include references throughout the Treatment Reflection for evidence of claims being made, to acknowledge the work of others, and to convey if the PT chose treatments that are or are not supported by evidence

  • References from peer-reviewed sources are required to be from within the last 10 years, unless a seminal study. As a guide, most well-written reflections contain 12 or more references to adequately address evidence-based care

  • Using internet references from reputable sources such as government or professional organizations (ACOG, AMA, CDC) is acceptable, as is locating a peer-reviewed journal article. It is not acceptable to use sources such as Wikipedia or blogs for background information

  • Quoting a course instructor or a course is not an appropriate reference, however a specific article or publication can be cited from a course manual; locate and read the scientific literature prior to referencing

8. Graphs, charts, tables, and graphics are encouraged, but optional, as they can help to convey and simplify data and interventions.

  • Place within the body of the document or as an appendix

9. Include commentary throughout the Treatment Reflection to help the reviewer understand the PTA’s thought process and clinical reasoning.

  • Share your knowledge and insights with the reader so it is clear to the reader that you understand what you are writing

  • If helpful in organizing your paper, include inserted/boxed sections titled Reflections to provide your opinion and explanation of thoughts/decisions

10. Provide details, particularly regarding chosen interventions and rationale as it relates to current practice/literature.

11. Clearly explain medical terms used. Write as if your reader is not familiar with orthopedic, obstetric, or pelvic terminology. For example, explain conditions such as “force closure,” a “R upslip,” or “short pelvic floor”. Clearly describe findings using current standardized terminology.

12. Clearly describe and/or define terminology pertaining specifically to obstetric or pelvic specialty practice, including terms related to diagnosis and medical terminology.

  • E.g., define/describe PFM MMT 2/5 or P2G2A PTA or PT not in this specialty practice, should be able to read the Reflection and understand the terminology and descriptions clearly

13. Safeguard a patient’s identity according to HIPPA guidelines. Do NOT cut and paste from the patient’s electronic record. Re-write pertinent patient information without using any unique identifiers that would put a patient’s identity at risk. Using initials to refer to the patient is acceptable.

14. Focus the paper’s attention on pelvic health physical therapy if seeking CAPP-Pelvic and obstetric physical therapy if seeking CAPP-OB. For example, if the treatment reflection is for CAPP-OB, the paper’s focus should be on the material learned (outcomes, interventions, evidence) in the CAPP-OB curriculum, and NOT on internal treatment of the pelvic floor.

15. Note that for the Reflection to receive a passing score, all components of each section of the case must receive a passing score. 

16. PTAs intending to seek both CAPP-OB and CAPP-Pelvic must complete separate applications for each and submit a Treatment Reflection describing the treatment of two DIFFERENT patients. Each Reflection submitted must describe patients with different diagnoses.

REVISIONS / RESUBMISSIONS

Authors should not be concerned if their Reflection is returned for revisions. The PTA CAPP Treatment Reflection is part of the overall learning process and performing revisions often enriches the learning experience.

Steps to follow for resubmission:

  1. Treatment Reflection revisions must be resubmitted within 6 months. If an extension is needed, make a request at: https://airtable.com/appouIkH4J0rs38lK/shrmMdjLAU7emyo1e
  2. When revising your paper, use the feedback provided in both rubrics to determine specifically which sections and items need revision or more information. Comments and rubric sections marked “No” will be critiqued when the Reflection is resubmitted. Edit the original paper; there is no need to completely rewrite the paper.
  3. After your revisions are complete, resubmit your treatment plan to the Academy of Pelvic Health at: https://airtable.com/appouIkH4J0rs38lK/shrNiKeWDZIXp1g92. Refer to your results notification letter on how to resubmit.
    • Indicate on the Cover Page that the Reflection is a REVISION
    • Date according to resubmission date
  4. Your resubmitted Reflection will be reviewed, a new rubric completed, and you will receive notification if the Reflection needs further edits or adequately meets the criteria needed to pass the Treatment Reflection.