BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease affecting the aging Filipino population. Outcome measure tools are used to assess a patient’s health status for the quality of care improvement. With the increasing prevalence of knee osteoarthritis, it warrants the need to conduct a clinical audit to identify the most common outcome measure tools used by Filipino Physical Therapists. OBJECTIVES: To determine the outcome measure tools used by Filipino Physical Therapists in assessing knee osteoarthritis in hospitals and clinics and compare it to the current global standard of assessment. METHODS: A retrospective record audit study design was used to determine the current assessment tool compared with standards of assessment. RESULTS: Of the 45 of 285 charts reviewed, 80% were females and 73.33%, aged older than 60 years. The following were examination tools used by Physical Therapists: In Subjective; a. pain score (97.77%), b Functional status (80%), and c. stiffness ( 4.44%). In Objective; a. ocular inspection and palpation(97.77% ), b. range of motion and manual muscle testing (93.33%), c. posture ( 48.89%), d. special testsB (33.33%), e. gait analysis ( 71.11%), and f. Functional assessment ( 91.11%). Physical Therapists did not use Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Short Form-36 (SF-36), and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score ( KOOS) outcome measures for assessing knee osteoarthritis. CONCLUSION Physical Therapists did not use standardized outcome measure tools in the assessment for knee osteoarthritis. Thus, the study shows the gap in the assessment for knee osteoarthritis in the Philippines and global standards.

BACKGROUND: The global pandemic greatly affected the educational system. Schools and universities were necessitated to adapt from a traditional classroom set-up to an online virtual mode of learning. The University of Santo Tomas – College of Rehabilitation Sciences adapted Blackboard as its primary learning management system, bringing new perceptions and opinions among its primary users- the faculty and students. OBJECTIVE: The study’s objective is to determine the perception of students and faculty from the CRS on using Blackboard as a medium for enhanced virtual learning during the pandemic. METHODOLOGY: Researchers will utilize phenomenological qualitative research for this study as it seeks to study the living experiences of students and faculty members during the pandemic concerning online classes compared to face-to-face courses. Purposive sampling via maximum variation will be used to recruit 3rd year and 4th-year students and faculty members who experienced both face-to-face and online classes. The researchers will employ guide questions during the focus group discussions (FGD) conducted via Zoom. Transcripts will be analyzed using thematic analysis through Nvivo following Hancock’s guidelines. The researchers will use the CORE-Q checklist to appraise the paper and affirm its validity. EXPECTED RESULTS The findings will include the varied perceptions of students and faculty about using Blackboard for online learning during the pandemic. Results are expected to help the education stakeholders better understand the perceptions of faculty and students to evaluate the use of the learning management system, amend necessary changes, and create relevant policies for the betterment of online learning delivery. Transcripts are expected to result in themes and subthemes that will help researchers identify the features of Blackboard that aid in the delivery of faculty lessons and students’ learning process.

BACKGROUND: Due to technological advancements, mobile applications have aided in the enhancement of assessment, treatment, and exercise programs for the major stakeholders in healthcare. However, there is a lack of preponderance of the evidence of reliability and validity of these mobile applications among traditional tools/methods used in rehabilitation. Thus, this systematic review aims to identify and synthesize existing studies on evidence of the validity and reliability of mobile applications used in physical therapy. METHODS: Included in this systematic review are studies written in English that tested the PT mobile application in healthy individuals, compared it with gold standard equipment, and tested the app's validity and/or reliability. A literature search will be conducted on nine databases, and two electronic software will be used - (1) Mendeley and (2) Rayyan. The Brink and Louw (2012) Critical Appraisal Tool will be used to assess the validity and reliability of the eligible articles. A qualitative review and meta-analyses will be conducted for data synthesis. EXPECTED RESULTS This study will contribute to current knowledge and healthcare practices by providing information on valid and reliable PT applications, synthesizing evidence on mobile applications that will improve PT assessments and interventions, and which applications can be further studied and developed. Overall, the results of this study will give information on how PT mobile applications can complement standard test measures or procedures in physical therapy such as assessments, interventions, and home exercise programs.