The development of a framework for the education and training of undergraduate physiotherapy students

[摘要] English: Higher education and health care have undergone profound changes over thepast decade, world-wide but particularly in South Africa. Physiotherapy as aprofession cannot stand apart from this, and therefore the education and-training of professional physiotherapists need to be taken under scrutiny.The purpose of this research was to develop a framework with a view tomaking a contribution to physiotherapy education and training and healthcare. The research comprised a literature survey (examining educational and healthrequirements, needs and trends), interviews with physiotherapy educators inthe United Kingdom, (to investigate aspects of their education and training),and departmental workshops in the Faculty of Health Sciences, University ofthe Free State (to reflect on and brainstorm the physiotherapy curriculum ofthe Department of Physiotherapy of this University). The physiotherapycurricula of a number of institutions offering physiotherapy education andtraining were studied as well. The literature survey paid attention to thetransformation of the health care system in South Africa, the transformation ofhigher education and academic and educational requirements in South Africa,national and international trends in physiotherapy education, and thephysiotherapy requirements of the population of South Africa. Based on theresults of these exercises, a measuring instrument for the education andtraining of professional physiotherapists was compiled. The Delphi technique was employed as research method to test themeasuring instrument. The Delphi technique is used to gain expert opinions on a matter or research problem. Delphi comprises submitting a questionnaire/research instrument to a panel of experts to elicit opinions andideas. The instrument is implemented over a number of rounds until anacceptable degree of consensus is reached regarding the questions that wereasked. In this study the instrument was converted into a checklist, comprisingstatements which were to be rated on a 5-point rating scale, and anopportunity for respondents comment on the statements. Seven domainexperts were selected as respondents.Two rounds of the Delphi technique were required before acceptableconsensus was reached and a final framework for the development of aphysiotherapy education and training programme could be compiled. In short this framework comprises a vision and a mission for professionalphysical therapy, the objectives of physiotherapy education and training anddefinitions of physiotherapy as a profession and the physiotherapist as aqualified, registered professional health care worker. This is followed by theexit level outcomes of a physiotherapist education and training programme, aswell as the specific and critical (non-context specific) outcomes that should beachieved to obtain a qualification. The themes that ought to be covered inorder to be able to reach the outcomes are described, as well as requirementsfor the education and training progress and structure, in which aspects suchas teaching and training approaches, student selection, recognition of priorlearning, mobility and portability are attended to. This framework, which is the result of an in-depth and comprehensive study ofhigher education demands and requirements, the history of physiotherapy ashealth care profession and current needs of and trends in the profession, andthe demands and requirements of health care in South Africa with specialemphasis on physiotherapy, has the potential to be used over the wide frontof physiotherapy education and training. The framework has been designedin a way which will enable institutions offering physiotherapy education andtraining to use it in developing innovative curricula. Through this acontribution can be made to physiotherapy education and training specifically,but also to health care.

[发布机构] University of the Free State