A profession going through changes: developing a profile of competencies and learning outcomes

Eckler, Ursula; Gödl-Purrer, Barbara; Hurkmans, Emalie; Igelsböck, E.; Wiederin, Claudia

doi:10.1016/j.physio.2016.10.107

Cited by 4 publications

(10 citation statements)

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“…In addition, the bulk of responding physicians share the opinion that the ability to make autonomous keep/refer judgements should be taught as part of the physiotherapy undergraduate curriculum, and during mandatory postgraduate courses. The results from the current study concur with proposed amendments within the learning outcomes for undergraduate studies across Austria [17] and recent efforts from the Austrian physiotherapy association towards more practice autonomy for physiotherapists in Austria [18].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

“…In 2008, Knipp conducted a survey amongst more than 4000 qualified physiotherapists in In 2014, the Austrian physiotherapy association released a document, which defines the future role of physiotherapists in a primary health care setting [16]. This has resulted in amendments to the mandatory learning outcomes for undergraduate studies across Austria [17]. Within this document, it is clearly stated that, in the case of enhanced practice autonomy (direct access), Austrian physiotherapy students are required to learn how to recognize the presence of serious pathologies and make autonomous keep/refer decisions during their undergraduate degree programme [17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Keep/Refer-Decision-Making Abilities and Screening for Serious Pathologies as Integral Components of Physiotherapy Education and Profession

et al. 2019

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Background Several surveys over the last few years examined physiotherapists’ attitude towards direct access, increased practice autonomy and the necessity to detect the presence of serious pathologies. Objective The aim of the questionnaire was identify the attitude of Austrian physicians towards physiotherapists’ taking more responsibility in the case of clinical decisions. Method An online survey was distributed by e-mail among 1000 general practitioners and 395 orthopaedic surgeons working in private practice in Austria during autumn 2017. Results The study included 76 general practitioners (7.6 %) and 40 orthopaedic surgeons (10 %). 90 % of the responding general practitioners and 68 % of the orthopaedic surgeons believed that Austrian physiotherapists should be able to decide whether physiotherapy is indicated or not. Conclusion The majority of the study participants were in favour of Austrian physiotherapists taking more responsibility and that they independently decide about physiotherapeutic indication.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Keep/Refer-Decision-Making Abilities and Screening for Serious Pathologies as Integral Components of Physiotherapy Education and Profession

et al. 2019

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Section: Physiotherapy Education In a Changing Practice Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The discussion about direct access to physiotherapy in Austria has more recently led to amendments in the mandatory learning outcomes within the Austrian undergraduate physiotherapy curriculum (Eckler et al, 2017). In the case of direct access to physiotherapy in Austria, it will be then paramount for new graduates to independently screen patients for the presence of serious pathology which requires medical evaluation and/or treatment (Eckler et al 2017). These amendments (Eckler et al 2017) now urgently warrant the development of a curriculum that properly educates Austrian undergraduate physiotherapy students to make accurate clinical decisions as to whether a patient is suitable for physiotherapy (keep) or needs the attention of a physician (refer).…”

Section: Physiotherapy Education In a Changing Practice Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the case of direct access to physiotherapy in Austria, it will be then paramount for new graduates to independently screen patients for the presence of serious pathology which requires medical evaluation and/or treatment (Eckler et al 2017). These amendments (Eckler et al 2017) now urgently warrant the development of a curriculum that properly educates Austrian undergraduate physiotherapy students to make accurate clinical decisions as to whether a patient is suitable for physiotherapy (keep) or needs the attention of a physician (refer). However, before being included into the existing Austrian undergraduate curriculum, educational strategies need to be tested for their ability to teach Austrian physiotherapy students how to make sound keep/refer decisions and, most importantly, to recognise the presence of serious medical conditions.…”

Section: Physiotherapy Education In a Changing Practice Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of an educational intervention that aims to improve the keep/refer decision-making abilities of Austrian undergraduate physiotherapy students: a randomised pilot study

Lackenbauer

Janssen

Roddam

et al. 2020

International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation

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Background/Aims An ongoing discussion about direct access to physiotherapy for patients with musculoskeletal pain disorders in Austria requires the development of a curriculum that educates physiotherapy students to make autonomous decisions to treat the patient without the need for medical referral (keep), to treat the patient with additional medical check-up (keep and refer) or to send the patient for medical evaluation without physiotherapeutic management (refer), and to recognise the presence of serious pathologies. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility, acceptability and potential effectiveness of an educational intervention that was provided to Austrian physiotherapy students in their final semester of the 3-year undergraduate (bachelor) degree. Methods An educational intervention was given to Austrian physiotherapy students in their final semester of the 3-year undergraduate (bachelor) degree, which consisted of a single, 1-hour face-to-face case-based lecture on the principles of differential diagnosis, screening for possible red flag pathologies and review of the body systems. A control group did not receive the intervention, but both groups completed 11 validated vignettes. Results Half of Austrian universities (n=6/12) and 116 final year Austrian undergraduate physiotherapy students took part in the study. All students from the intervention group were satisfied with the intervention and 77.6% found the intervention beneficial for making keep/refer decisions based on clinical vignettes. Overall, 89.7% did not find the intervention too time consuming. A potential effectiveness of the intervention could not be demonstrated. Conclusions Future similar studies need to investigate if more teaching hours and/or if different educational methods are capable of improving the keep/refer decision-making abilities of Austrian undergraduate physiotherapy students.

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The Impact of the “Employee Therapy” Model on Hospital Employees

2024

Int J Nurs Health Care Res

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The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among health care workers, especially nurses, is up to 88%. Guidelines recommend physiotherapy as treatment among others. Barriers taking up physiotherapy are costs, business hours and geographical distance. To overcome these barriers for hospital employees and to foster physiotherapy students' competencies in a practical setting, the "Employee Therapy" as part of a course in the undergraduate physiotherapy program was designed: Physiotherapy students in their 5th semester treat employees from the adjoining hospital independently under supervision. The pilot study´s purpose is to evaluate the "Employee Therapy" model in terms of treatment efficacy, students´ gain in competences and patients´ as well as students´ satisfaction. Retrospective quantitative and qualitative data collected in the course "Applied Physiotherapy 2", where the "Employee Therapy" is included, were analyzed. Results show that patients improved statistically significant in pain and function. Patients were rather or fully satisfied with the treatment provided. The overall impression rating was positive or rather positive by students and patients. Students subjectively gained competences that can be primarily assigned to the physiotherapist´s role of the expert, team worker and communicator. The results indicate that the "Employee Therapy" model is beneficial for all parties involved. Hospital employees get physiotherapeutic care individually in a setting adapted to their needs. Moreover, the study shows that physiotherapy students in their 5th semester are capable treating patients independently under supervision and expand their competencies. Further research is crucial to expand the understanding about specific effects, like sick-leave or job retention, and the model´s development.

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A profession going through changes: developing a profile of competencies and learning outcomes

Cited by 4 publications

References 0 publications

Keep/Refer-Decision-Making Abilities and Screening for Serious Pathologies as Integral Components of Physiotherapy Education and Profession

Keep/Refer-Decision-Making Abilities and Screening for Serious Pathologies as Integral Components of Physiotherapy Education and Profession

Evaluation of an educational intervention that aims to improve the keep/refer decision-making abilities of Austrian undergraduate physiotherapy students: a randomised pilot study

The Impact of the “Employee Therapy” Model on Hospital Employees

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