Cardiorespiratory physiotherapy in clinical placement: Students' perceptions

Abstract

This study aimed to explore possible links between clinical experience in cardiorespiratory physiotherapy and the potential for career choice within that specialty. The perceptions of a purposive sample of physiotherapy students were explored using a self-administered questionnaire, which was constructed to produce in-depth data. Analysis showed that students' perceptions of cardiorespiratory physiotherapy correlated significantly to the degree of experience gained. However, experience was gained both within and outside specialty-specific areas and students were using cardiorespiratory skills in a number of clinical areas and settings. Students with the greatest level of experience within cardiorespiratory patient management were more likely to consider future employment within this specialty. Among the influencing factors was the attitude of clinical educators to the specialty. These findings may have implications for future practice and the recruitment of physiotherapists in to this specialty.

Influence of Cardiorespiratory Clinical Placements on the Specialty Interest of Physiotherapy Students

“…Studies conducted on medical undergraduate students have found that students' clinical encounters with patients are an essential component of undergraduate clinical education [24,30], finding changes in the perception and acquisition of clinical abilities. The study conducted by Bennett and Hartberg [31] suggested that students undergoing a cardiorespiratory clinical placement were more likely to specialize in cardiorespiratory. Our study confirms the same idea, using a control group that did not have a cardiorespiratory placement, as students found the cardiorespiratory specialty to be more important after having a clinical placement in this area.…”

Practical work in physiotherapy students’ professional development

“…Students' understanding of practical work widened with their increasing experience from different workplaces. Non-curricular experiences and different work places for instructed practical training increased the students` preparedness for working life (Atkinson, & McElroy, 2016;Bennett, & Hartberg, 2007). Experiencing a practical work period abroad widened the conception of the physiotherapy process because different tools and habits were used in therapy in different countries.…”