The Journal of Humanities in Rehabilitation (JHR) advocates for the importance of the humanities, ethics, and professionalism in physical therapy education practice because excellent clinical practice requires the ability to make meaningful connections with patients and to make decisions in unclear or vulnerable circumstances.  To that aim, the JHR provides a forum for discussion of the art of physical therapy and the lived experience of patients, thereby creating a platform for sharing resources that focus on how to teach humanities, ethics, and professionalism in physical therapy education.

The American Counsel of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT) joins the JHR to sponsor a judged writing competition designed to encourage deep thinking by students about the role and value of humanities, ethics and professionalism in academic training and professional life. The annual JHR/ACAPT Physical Therapy Student Essay Contest offers a creative opportunity to ignite critical reflection in students across the nation about ways in which approaching patient care in a holistic manner improves rehabilitation outcomes.

Essay Prompt

Advances in AI technology are poised to transform the landscape of rehabilitation, raising intriguing questions about its impact on humanism in the field.

How do you envision the integration of AI technology in rehabilitation impacting the essence of humanism in patient care? Discuss potential benefits and challenges in maintaining a compassionate, patient-centered approach while utilizing AI-driven techniques. Reflect on the role of empathy, personal connection, and tailored treatment plans in humanizing the rehabilitation process amidst increasing reliance on technological solutions. Draw insights from contemporary viewpoints on writing effective PT application essays, emphasizing the importance of weaving personal experiences and stories into your response to convey your understanding of AI’s potential impact on the humanistic dimension of rehabilitation.

Note:  This essay prompt was generated by ChatGPT when given the prompt: “Write a physical therapy student essay prompt on the following topic – how will AI technology impact humanism in rehabilitation?”   OpenAI. (2023) ChatGPT Aug 18 version. [Large language model] https://chat.openai.com/chat

We have chosen the topic of artificial intelligence and machine learning for our 2023-2024 JHR-CHEP essay contest prompt in recognition of the tremendous opportunities this technology offers in our world, as well as the profound societal implications. It is precisely in this space of creative tension that the skills we gain from the humanities provide critical insights to help us interrogate, embrace, and ultimately shape what this revolutionary technology is asking of us as humans. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on this unprecedented moment in the history of rehabilitation science.

In addition to the essay, please provide a brief (less than 50 words) statement acknowledging if AI was used to assist in the writing of the essay. If AI-generated content was used, cite the model or tool used and the manufacturer’s name, including prompts. If AI was not used, provide a rationale (which can be as simple as “I do not know how to use AI”). Both types of approaches to essay development will be accepted. All essays must provide this acknowledgment to be considered for review.

Prize Description

The winner of the Physical Therapy Student Essay Contest will receive a $250 award from the ACAPT.  Additionally, the contest winner and two finalists will have their personal narratives published in a future issue of the JHR.

Eligibility and Required Materials

All students currently enrolled in a Doctor of Physical Therapy or Physical Therapy Assistant program are eligible to apply. Submissions must include an original, unpublished personal narrative as well as a short (3-4 sentence) personal bio that includes the student’s current academic institution.

Timeline

Submissions will be accepted until January 8th, 2024. Any
submissions sent in after this date will be considered late. Late
submissions will not be reviewed. The winner and two finalists will be announced early in the Spring of 2024.

Judges

Submissions are reviewed by a selection panel comprised of our guest judge(s) and the JHR Editorial Board. Submissions are judged upon their engagement with the prompt, narrative structure, and attention to language.

Instructions to Submit

1. Only electronic submissions will be accepted.
2. All submissions should be sent as a single email attachment to CHEP [dot] JHR [dot] essay [at] gmail [dot] com by 11:59 PM (EST) on January 8th, 2024.
3. Submissions should follow these formatting guidelines: twelve-point font, double-spaced text. Narratives in both PDF or Word files (.doc and .docx) will be accepted.
4. 800 word limit
5. As the winning personal narrative, as well as two finalists, will be published in a future issue of JHR, we ask that all personal information such as individuals’ names other than the author’s and specific locations be de-identified.