Postgraduate clinical physiotherapy education in acute hospitals: a cohort study

• Published in: Physiotherapy theory and practice Vol. 36; no. 1; pp. 157 - 169
• Main Authors: Bastick, M Physio, BHM, Emma K, O'Keeffe, B Physio, M Physio, David D, Farlie, B Physio, Post Grad Cert Physio, Grad Cert Health Prof Ed, Melanie K, Ryan, B Physio, Danielle T, Haines, PhD, B Physio (Hons), Grad Cert Health Economics, Terry P, Katz, B Physio, M Health Med Law, Nikki, Knight, B Physio, Jessica L, Keely, B Physio, Spec Cert Paed Ortho, Laura K, Saber, B Physio, Kelly J, Sturgess, B Physio (Hons), M Physio, Tamica R, Skinner, PhD, B. Physio (Hons), Elizabeth H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis Ltd 02.01.2020
• Subjects: Ability; Clinical medicine; Clinical skills; Clinical training; Cohort analysis; Confidence; Critical care; Education; Educational programs; Health education; Hospitals; Objectives; Pediatrics; Physical therapists; Physical therapy; Physiotherapy; Quality of service; Self evaluation; Self-efficacy; Women; Womens health; Work; hospitals; physical therapists; clinical competence; public; Education; physiotherapy
• DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2018.1479906
• ISSN: 0959-3985

: Junior physiotherapists require satisfactory clinical skills to work effectively within the acute hospital setting for service quality and consistency. : To investigate the effects of stream-specific clinical training on junior physiotherapist self-efficacy, self-rated confidence, and self-rated ability to work independently during weekend shifts. : Prospective cohort study. : Eighteen junior physiotherapists. : Physiotherapists undertook 8 h of stream-specific education in: pediatrics, women's health, neuro-medical, musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory, and critical care over 8 weeks. Learning objectives were evaluated using a self-efficacy (0-100) scale and self-rated confidence was measured with a 4-point Likert scale (not confident to independent). Self-rated ability to independently work weekend shifts was measured dichotomously (yes/no). : Participants completed an average of three stream-specific programs in the study period. Post-training, mean improvement in self-efficacy across objectives ranged from 2.9 (95% CI -8.7 to 14.5) to 43.3 (95% CI 4.8-81.8) points,  < 0.05 for 80% of objectives. Self-rated confidence scores improved for 45.6% of stream-specific learning objectives; 52.8% were unchanged and 1.7% reported a decrease in confidence. Self-rated ability to work stream-specific weekend shifts increased from 56-70%, but no stream achieved a significant increase in staff able to independently work weekend shifts ( range 0.10 to 1.0). : A stream-specific education program increased junior physiotherapists' self-efficacy and self-rated confidence but not perceived ability to work independently on weekends. Results were non-randomized and actual practice change was not assessed. Future studies could investigate different educational structures in a blinded, randomized manner on clinical practice change.