R. Osborne, PT, DPT, EdD, Brooks Rehabilitation Institute of Higher Learning, 3901 University Boulevard South, Suite 103, Jacksonville, FL 32216 (USA); and Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Brooks College of Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida. Address all correspondence to Dr Osborne at: raine.osborne@brooksrehab.org. C. Janson, PhD, College of Education and Human Services, University of North Florida. L. Black, PT, DPT, Department of Physical Therapy, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska. G.M. Jensen, PT, PhD, Department of Physical Therapy, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Creighton University. [Osborne R, Janson C, Black L, Jensen GM. Motivations to pursue physical therapy residency training: a Q-Methodology study of stakeholder perspectives. Phys Ther. 2020;100:57–72.] © 2019 American Physical Therapy Association Published Ahead of Print: October 9, 2019 Accepted: June 21, 2019 Submitted: September 15, 2018 Post a comment for this article at: https://academic.oup.com/ptj Original Research Motivations to Pursue Physical Therapy Residency Training: A Q-Methodology Study of Stakeholder Perspectives Raine Osborne, Chris Janson, Lisa Black, Gail M. Jensen Background. Residency training is recognized as a valuable form of professional development and pathway to specialization. Currently residency is voluntary for physical therapists, with less than 12% of DPT students choosing to apply upon graduation. Motivations that drive the decision to pursue residency are currently unknown as is the extent of similarity and difference in perspective among various stakeholders. Objective. The purpose of this study was to identify the dominant perspectives on motivations to pursue residency held by various stakeholders. Design. This study was conducted using Q Methodology, which incorporates aspects of quantitative and qualitative techniques into the examination of human subjectivity. Methods. Program directors, faculty, and current residents from all accredited physical therapy residency programs were invited to complete a forced-choice sorting activity where potential motivations for residency were sorted by perceived level of importance. Principal component analysis was used to identify dominant perspectives, which were interpreted based on emergent themes in the cluster of motivations identifed as most important. Results. Four dominant perspectives were identifed: (1) desire to provide better patient care, (2) preparation for specialty practice, (3) fast track to expert practice, and (4) career advancement. These perspectives provided context and utility to 2 broad meta-motivations: improved clinical reasoning and receiving mentoring. Both within- and between-group differences among stakeholders were identifed. However, subsets from each role-group population were found to share similar perspectives. Limitations. Results from this study may not apply to potential residents in all specialty areas, and the implications of having a particular perspective are unknown. Conclusions. Identifcation of the dominant perspective on motivations for pursuing residency may aid in promoting participation, program development, matching residents to programs and mentors, and future research. 2020 Volume 100 Number 1 Physical Therapy 57 Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/ptj/article/100/1/57/5583896 by guest on 19 January 2023