PCS Examination Prep: Collaborative Practice of Clinical Reasoning Skills

Physical therapists pursuing specialization will have opportunities to expand clinical reasoning and knowledge-based skills through team-based learning activities utilizing case scenarios across pediatric populations, age ranges, and practice settings. The ABPTS certification process recognizes physical therapists (PTs) who demonstrate advanced competencies and also assists the public and healthcare community to identify specialized PTs. This session is designed for those physical therapists who have or will meet the minimum hours of direct patient care eligibility to sit for the exam and are contemplating taking the PCS board examination or recertification exam in 2025 or 2026. This session, led by leaders from the APTA Pediatrics PCS Prep Committee, will provide practical strategies and wisdom for PCS exam preparation to foster development of individualized timelines for planning through multiple pathways.
Topics of discussion will include
• increasing familiarity with exam structure
• practicing PCS exam strategies to answer questions written at the synthesis and analysis level of cognitive skills.
• strengthening social connections to support learning through networking (in-person and virtually)
• accessing resources to maximize learning through a variety of distance and face-to-face opportunities
• developing a scholarly approach to clinical practice through enhanced clinical reasoning skills
• facilitating self-reflection to improve awareness of knowledge gaps and identify strategies to strength test taking skills
This interactive session will offer opportunities for questions and answers and time for small group discussion to assist in the formulation of an individual action plan for the advancement of professional development leading to pediatric physical therapy specialization.