RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

January 2025

Welcome to the inaugural edition of the GHSIG Research Spotlight, which highlights recently published articles of interest selected by the Research & Publication Committee of the Academy of Leadership and Innovation (ALI) GHSIG. Article citations are provided.


APTA/ALI members have access to full-text articles in the Physical Therapy Journal.


Aligning with our mission to share resources, the Research & Publication Committee is also working on updating the Global Health Publications section of the GHSIG website. Check back often!


In addition to the GHSIG website, we also publish our newsletter, The Compass, and share resources and information on our Instagram, Facebook and YouTube channels.

Global Health Equity/Health Disparities 


  1. Bell KA, Adams T. A Culture Shift for Excellence in Physical Therapy: Promoting Equity through the Structural Determinants of Health. Phys Ther. 2024; pzae098. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzae098.
  2. Patel RM, Prusynski RA, Williams-York B, Matthews ND, VanHoose L. Disparities in Physical Therapy Outcomes Based on Race and Ethnicity: A Scoping Review. Phys Ther. 2024; pzae090. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzae090.
  3. Dunn B, McIntosh J, Ray L, McCarty D. The Prevalence of Implicit Bias in Practicing Physical Therapists. Carolina Journal of Interdisciplinary Medicine. 2022;2(1). https://doi.org/10.47265/cjim.v2i1.2008.
  4. McKinney J, Kelm N, Windsor B, Keyser LE. Addressing Health Care Access Disparities Through a Public Health Approach to Physical Therapist Practice. Phys Ther. 2024;104(10). doi:10.1093/ptj/pzae136. https://academic.oup.com/ptj/article/104/10/pzae136/7759394.

Global Health Social Responsibility, Ethics, Advocacy, and Policy 


  1. Dao KD, Gisselman AS, Siegel MB, Hegedus EJ, Wooten LC. Firearm Violence as a Public Health Crisis: A Call to Action for Physical Therapists. Phys Ther. 2024;104(1): pzad143. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzad143.
  2. Davenport TE, Griech SF, VanDeCarr T, Rethorn ZD, Magnusson DM. Social Power and the Movement System: Why and How Physical Therapists Might Influence the Upstream Currents of Health. Phys Ther. 2023;103(7): pzad052. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzad052.
  3. Giuffre S, Domholdt E, Keehan J. Beyond the individual: population health and physical therapy. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. 2018;36(5):564-571. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2018.1490364.
  4. Swärdh E, Maric F. From Knowledge to Action: Fostering Advocacy Skills for Planetary Health in Physical Therapy. Phys Ther. 2024;104(11): pzae130. doi:10.1093/ptj/pzae130. PMID: 39239843; PMCID: PMC11530356.

Global Health Education and Training 


  1. Kennedy VK, Temple S, Pak S, Scheid A, Teherani A, Schaaf M, Fitzsimmons A. Cultural Responsiveness in Academic Physical Therapy: An Administrative Case Report. Phys Ther. 2024; pzae089. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzae089.
  2. Williams-York B, Guenther GA, Patterson DG, Mohammed SA, Kett PM, Dahal A, Frogner BK. Burnout, Exhaustion, Experiences of Discrimination, and Stress among Underrepresented and First-Generation College Students in Graduate Health Profession Education. Phys Ther. 2024; pzae095. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzae095.
  3. Whalen Smith CN, Havercamp SM, Tosun L, Shetterly S, Munir A, Kennedy W, Feldner HA, Herrman D, Sloane BM, Weinstein FH. Training an Anti-Ableist Physical Therapist Workforce: Critical Perspectives of Health Care Education that Contribute to Health Inequities for People with Disabilities. Phys Ther. 2024; pzae092. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzae092.
  4. Varnado K, Mejia-Downs A, Scharmann A, Richardson S. A Community Development Approach in Physical Therapist Education. Phys Ther. 2024; pzae091. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzae091.

Global Health Practice 


  1. Hartman J, Dholakia K. An Exploratory Study of Physical Therapists From High-Income Countries Practicing Outside of Their Scope in Low and Middle-Income Countries. J Bioeth Inq. 2023;20(3):543-562. doi:10.1007/s11673-023-10305-z.
  2. To Dutka J, Gans BM, Bracciano A, et al. Delivering Rehabilitation Care Around the World: Voices From the Field. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2023;104(9):1385-1393. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2023.03.009.
  3. Langlois S, da Silva Souza CM, Xyrichis A, et al. Evolving global responses to the pandemic: sustaining interprofessional education and collaborative practice. J Interprof Care. 2024;38(5):947-952. doi:10.1080/13561820.2024.2317257.
  4. Montero-Odasso M, van der Velde N, Martin FC, et al. World guidelines for falls prevention and management for older adults: a global initiative. Age Ageing. 2022;51(9):afac205. doi:10.1093/ageing/afac205.

Global Health Research Methods and Innovations 


  1. Papa EV, Patel RM, Windsor N, Capo-Lugo C. Becoming JEDI Warriors in Physical Therapy Research: A Multifaceted Approach. Phys Ther. 2024;104(10): pzae102. doi:10.1093/ptj/pzae102.
  2. Dahlby JS, Boyd LA. Chronic Underrepresentation of Females and Women in Stroke Research Adversely Impacts Clinical Care. Phys Ther. 2024; pzae155. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzae155.
  3. Rowley KM, Ky A, Matthews ND. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Antiracism Research in Physical Therapy Over the Last 25 Years: A Scoping Review. Phys Ther. 2024;104(10): pzae072. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzae072.
  4. Sharma S, Verhagen A, Elkins M, et al. Research from Low-Income and Middle-Income Countries will Benefit Global Health and the Physiotherapy Profession, but it Requires Support. IJSPT. 2023;18(5). doi:10.26603/001c.83948.


Special thanks to the following ALI-GHSIG Research & Publication Committee members who contributed to this list:


Cheryl Kerfeld, PT, PhD - Research and Publication Committee Chair

Michael Blizniak, PT, DPT

Thomas Longbottom, PT, DPT

Justine Dee, PT, PhD


Contact Cheryl Kerfeld with questions

Mission Statement of the Global Health SIG

We champion global health advocacy through the sharing of resources for

physical therapy practice, education, and research to support equitable access to health care

in partnership with communities worldwide

APTA Academy of Leadership and Innovation

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