About the Program

The Clinical Residency in Orthopedics is a full-time, 12-month program. The resident works 35-40 hours per week, spending approximately 25% of their time in educational experiences and 75% providing clinical care. A salary proportional to a 70-75% caseload is provided.

Program Hours Breakdown

  • 100-150 hours of one-on-one clinical mentorship
  • 300 hours of didactic / education mentorship
  • 1500 hours of clinical practice
  • Mentorship for a clinical-based scholarly project
  • Teach and mentor entry-level DPT students

Additional Requirements

  • Participate and lead monthly Journal Clubs
  • Present monthly formal case presentations to clinical or didactic mentors
  • Attend APTA Combined Sections Meeting
  • Complete mentored clinical exams, and clinical skills checklists

Curriculum

The curriculum was developed as a clinical residency based on the Description of Residency Practice for Orthopedics , prepared by the members of the Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and APTA staff. The American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE), a board-appointed group of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), published the DRP.

Examples of Potential Didactic Courses at Columbia

  • Research Practicum
  • Advanced Lower Quarter Management
  • Advanced Upper Quarter Management
  • Evidenced Based Medicine in Advanced Clinical Practice

Current outcomes for the Columbia University Clinical Residency in Orthopedic Physical Therapy (CROPT):

  • Initial accreditation: 2020-21
  • Number of graduates: 9
  • 100% residency graduation rate
  • Current cohort to graduate in August of 2024: 2
  • 100% pass rate for the orthopedic clinical speciality exam

Current positions held by graduates:

  • Clinical positions: Columbia University Physical Therapy Faculty Practice - 3 graduates (2 serve as clinical instructor's for entry level DPT program, 1 serves as a clinical mentor for clinical residency)
  • Outpatient physical therapist, San Jose Medical Center
  • Independent provider in a private practice setting, Brooklyn, NY
  • Outpatient physical therapist, Corewell Health, Fremont, MI
  • Outpatient physical therapist, Orthology/Optimum, New York City (serves as a clinical instructor for entry level students)
  • Outpatient physical therapist, Neurosport, New York City
  • Teaching assistant, Rutgers University, New Jersey

Accepted poster/ platform presentations:

(Poster) Gout in the Knee – A Regional Interdependence Approach, Meredith Craig, PT, DPT; Meg Tsai, PT, DPT; Michael R Johnson, PT, DSc, OCS, SCS; Christopher K Wong, PT, PhD, OCS. Presented at New York Chapter, Annual Meeting, October 2023 and Combined Sections, Boston, MA, 2024.

(Poster) Clinical Problem Solving in the Management for a Case of Chronic 16-Year Cremaster Strain; Eldon V. Graham, PT, DPT, Christopher Kevin Wong, PhD, PT,  and Michael Johnson, PT, DsC, Combined Sections Meeting, 2023.

(Poster) Physical Therapy Management of Right Hip Pain Following Total Hip Arthroplasty in a Patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis; Kynaston Schultz, PT, DPT, Kevin Wong, PT, PhD, OCS. Combined Sections Meeting 2022.

(Poster) A regional interdependence approach to back pain in Parkinson’s Disease – A Case Study; Charlie Weng, PT, DPT; Kevin Wong, PT, PhD, OCS; Mike Johnson, PT, DSc, OCS, SCS. Combined Sections Meeting 2022.

(Poster) Ankle Dorsiflexion ROM: Recommendations for Best Practice in Both Research and Practical Clinical Application Settings – Amy Claypool, PT, DPT, SCS; Mike Johnson, PT, DSc, OCS, SCS. Combined Sections Meeting 2021.

(Poster) The Role of Physical Therapy in Relief of Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Case Series with Follow-Up - Amy Claypool, PT, DPT, SCS; Christopher K. Wong, PT, PhD, OCS. Combined Sections Meeting 2021.