Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of providing a standardized screening examination to a group of attending and resident physicians on the rate of torticollis and plagiocephaly diagnoses, the age at time of diagnosis, and the attitudes and practice patterns of the physicians. All subjects were given a standardized screening procedure by verbal instruction and handout, and also completed a pre-­‐ and post-­‐intervention questionnaire, which assessed the 􀂕􀂗􀂄􀂌􀂇􀂅􀂖􀂕􀇯􀀃 practice regarding the diagnosis and management of torticollis and plagiocephaly. A retrospective chart review was conducted to ascertain the changes in frequency and mean age of patients diagnosed by subjects over the 6-­‐month intervention period compared to the previous 3 years. Pediatric residents reported significant increases in their frequency of diagnosing torticollis and plagiocephaly, their comfort level in screening for these diagnoses, and their frequency of referral to physical therapy for torticollis. Attending pediatricians reported significant increases in their diagnosis of plagiocephaly only. There was a significant increase in the percent of patients diagnosed with plagiocephaly at one of the six clinics during the intervention year. There was a significant decrease in the age at the time of diagnosis of torticollis patients at one of the six clinics during the intervention year.

LLU Discipline

Physical Therapy

Department

Physical Therapy

School

School of Allied Health Professions

First Advisor

Lohman III, Everett B.

Second Advisor

Elmendorf III, Edward

Third Advisor

Forrester, Bonnie

Fourth Advisor

Zidek, Lisa

Fifth Advisor

Zimmerman, Grenith

Degree Name

Doctor of Science (DSc)

Degree Level

D.Sc.

Year Degree Awarded

2014

Date (Title Page)

6-2014

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Torticollis - Diagnosis; Plagiocephaly; Nosystolic - Diagnosis

Subject - Local

Cervical Lateral Flexion; Neck Muscles; Sternocleidomastoid Muscles

Type

Dissertation

Page Count

59

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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