Restructuring Physical Therapy Education After COVID-19: A Narrative Review on the Global Perspectives and the Emerging Role of Hybrid Learning Models

The COVID-19 pandemic rapidly transformed physical therapy (PT) education from traditional face-to-face instruction to online and hybrid models worldwide. While online education effectively supports theoretical knowledge acquisition, it falls short in developing hands-on clinical skills, highlightin...

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Published inCurēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 17; no. 7; p. e88034
Main Author Kikuchi, Kazuto
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Springer Nature B.V 15.07.2025
Cureus
Subjects
Blended learning
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Distance learning
Language
Luggage
Medical Education
Medical Subject Headings-MeSH
Nursing education
Online instruction
Pandemics
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Physical therapy
Professional education
Professions
Simulation
Telemedicine
Virtual reality
Japan
digital transformation in physical therapy education
clinical skills acquisition
student motivation and engagement
educational equity and access
hybrid education
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Summary:The COVID-19 pandemic rapidly transformed physical therapy (PT) education from traditional face-to-face instruction to online and hybrid models worldwide. While online education effectively supports theoretical knowledge acquisition, it falls short in developing hands-on clinical skills, highlighting the necessity of integrating in-person training. Various countries reported benefits and challenges of online learning, including issues with learning environments, faculty ICT skills, and student motivation. Hybrid education models combining online lectures with practical face-to-face sessions emerged as optimal solutions. Future PT education requires flexible, sustainable, and learner-centered approaches grounded in educational technology and human-centered design. Key priorities include standardizing hybrid models, enhancing faculty support, reforming assessment methods, and ensuring equitable access to digital resources. Overall, PT education faces a pivotal opportunity to evolve into a resilient system balancing educational quality with accessibility and adaptability, guided by comprehensive, evidence-based strategies.
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ISSN:2168-8184
2168-8184
DOI:10.7759/cureus.88034