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Background
The American Board of Physical Therapy Residency & Fellowship Education has recorded the following presentation on the background on the establishment of an ABPTRFE pilot program to explore a new proposed model of residency education. This session also includes insights and recommendations from the ABPTRFE Integrated DPT to Residency Pathway Task Force.
Purpose
The purpose of this pilot initiative is to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of a new educational pathway designed to enhance accessibility, efficiency, and long-term career benefits for students pursuing specialization. This pathway aims to reduce the financial burden on students, programs, and sponsoring organizations by streamlining educational requirements, enabling earlier entry into specialized practice, and facilitating the potential for higher earnings earlier in their careers. By accelerating the development of specialists, this model seeks to strengthen the workforce, improve patient outcomes, and contribute to the sustainability and advancement of the profession.
Pilot Program Overview and Key Messages
Broadening specialty areas. The pilot is not limited to orthopaedic and sports specialty areas; all clinical residency programs are eligible.
Fostering collaboration. The model encourages partnerships between academic and nonacademic institutions, enhancing the residency education framework.
Expanding capacity. By integrating DPT and residency education, this model can increase training positions and support workforce development.
Eligibility criteria. Only organizations with currently ABPTRFE-accredited clinical residency programs may apply.
- To ensure the integrity, quality, and successful implementation of the pilot program, participation is limited to institutions with currently accredited programs. Accredited programs have demonstrated their commitment to meeting established educational standards, possess the necessary infrastructure, and have experience with compliance and continuous quality improvement. This approach allows for a more controlled and reliable evaluation of the new model, ensuring that outcomes are based on a strong foundation of best practices before broader expansion.
Application for Program Participation
Programs are expected to maintain their established curriculum framework to ensure continued alignment with their educational mission, accreditation standards, and professional competencies. At the same time, they are encouraged to implement strategic adaptations that support the integrated model.
These adaptations should aim to enhance efficiency, incorporate innovative learning strategies, and, importantly, preserve the depth and quality of education needed to prepare competent and skilled specialists.
Applications to participate in the pilot will be accepted through December 2026, with all pilot programs expected to launch no later than March 2027.
ABPTRFE-Approved Integrated DPT-Residency Pilot Programs
The following programs have been approved by ABPTRFE to participate in the Integrated DPT-Residency Program Pilot:
University of Delaware Orthopedic Residency
Program Director: Airelle O Giordano, PT, DPT
University of Delaware Sports Residency
Program Director: Airelle O Giordano, PT, DPT
USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences Orthopaedic Residency
Program Director: Mackenzie Brittain, PT, DPT
Find a Partner for the ABPTRFE Integrated DPT-Residency Pilot
The Integrated DPT-Residency Pilot encourages partnerships between ABPTRFE-accredited clinical residency programs and CAPTE-accredited DPT programs to develop innovative educational models that bridge entry-level and post-professional training. Programs listed below have expressed interest in participating in the pilot but are in search of a partner to complete their application.
Clinical Residency Programs Looking for DPT Partners
EMG Solutions Clinical Electrophysiology Residency
Montgomery, Alabama
Mark Simmons, PT, DPT
DPT Programs Looking for Clinical Residency Partners
Coming soon
Additional Resources
ABPTRFE hosted an informational webinar on April 30, 2025, where two residency programs presented their educational framework and answered questions from stakeholders interested in participating in the pilot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will ABPTRFE-accredited residency programs participating in the pilot still enroll residents into their traditional residency program?
Yes. Residency programs participating in the pilot will continue to offer their traditional post-professional residency program alongside the integrated model. Participating programs will be required to engage in data collection, periodic reporting, and collaboration with ABPTRFE to evaluate the pilot’s impact.
How do clinical residency programs or DPT programs find a partner for the pilot?
ABPTRFE publishes a list of clinical residency programs and DPT programs interested in participating in the pilot but who are seeking a partner. Review the “Find a Pilot Partner” section on this website to connect with potential collaborators.
How do ABPTRFE-accredited residency programs not affiliated with a DPT program participate in the pilot?
Residency programs without an existing academic partner can consult the list of DPT programs seeking collaboration, available on the website.
How do DPT programs not affiliated with an ABPTRFE-accredited residency program participate in the pilot?
DPT programs seeking a residency partner can consult the list of ABPTRFE-accredited residency programs interested in the pilot, available on the website.
How do programs apply for the pilot?
The Application to Participate is available on the website.
What happens after submitting an application?
ABPTRFE reviews applications during their next schedule meeting and notifies program of approval status. Approved participating programs receive instructions for reporting, pilot implementation, and ongoing data collection.
Will residents in the integrated program still complete the full residency curriculum?
Yes. Although some clinical and educational experiences may overlap with the DPT program, all integrated residents must complete the full residency curriculum, including at least ten full-time equivalent months of residency education and all programmatic hours in accordance with ABPTRFE Quality Standards.
What objective measures are used to assess the pilot's success?
Pilot participants must collect and report on several recommended outcome measures identified by the ABPTRFE task force. These measures are outlined in the attestations section of the pilot application.
Will programs pay additional fees to ABPTRFE for the integrated residency track?
No. Pilot participants will not pay additional fees beyond the residency program’s existing annual fee.
What are the ongoing expectations for pilot programs?
Programs must:
- Implement the integrated model as approved,
- Collect and submit required outcome data,
- Participate in periodic check-ins and collaborative learning opportunities,
- Share feedback to help inform the future of residency education.
Who should I contact if I have questions about the pilot?
Please reach out to ABPTRFE at resfel@apta.org with any questions regarding eligibility, partnerships, applications, or program operations.