Clinical Performances of Physical Therapist Students in Problem-Based, Mixed-Model, and Traditional Curricula:

Students' perspectives of core value development in a modified problem-based learning program

Physical therapy educational programs are tasked to develop core values in their students as the foundation of professionalism. Problem-based learning (PBL) is an approach that intends to enrich exploration of issues in clinical decision making, understand how patient care is supported by other aspects of professional practice, and develop examination, intervention and communication skills. This qualitative study aimed to understand, interpret, and describe doctoral physical therapy students' perspectives of core value development in a modified PBL program. Twenty-seven of 49 students from a single class participated in the study at the time of graduation. Phenomenological methods via semi-structured focus group interviews were used to foster an in-depth understanding of students' experiences. Interviews were thematically organized by the constant comparison method and several strategies were used to establish trustworthiness. Eleven emerging themes represented the adjustment to PBL and essence of core value development from the students' perspective. An additional overarching theme "transformation" was also identified as students described a process of "transformation" from student to professional, supported by the curricular elements of the modified PBL process. These findings inform faculty on educational methods and curricular strategies, which may enhance the development of professional core values, regardless of curricular format.

National Study of Excellence and Innovation in Physical Therapist Education: Part 1-Design, Method, and Results

BACKGROUND

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching commissioned the Preparation for the Professions Program, a qualitative study of professional education in 5 professions: medicine, nursing, law, engineering, and clergy. These studies identified curricular structures, instructional practices, assessment approaches, and environmental characteristics that support the preparation of professionals and led to educational reforms. The physical therapy profession has not had any in-depth, national investigation of physical therapist education since the Catherine Worthingham studies conducted more than 50 years ago.

OBJECTIVES

This research was a Carnegie-type study, investigating elements of excellence and innovation in academic and clinical physical therapist education in the United States.

DESIGN

Five physical therapist education researchers from across the United States used a qualitative multiple-case study design.

METHODS

Six academic and 5 clinical programs were selected for the study. The academic institutions and clinical agencies studied were diverse in size, institutional setting, geography, and role in residency education. Qualitative case studies were generated from review of artifacts, field observations, and interviews (individual and focus group), and they provided the data for the study.

RESULTS

A conceptual framework grounded in 3 major dimensions was generated, with 8 supporting elements: (1) culture of excellence (shared beliefs and values, leadership and vision, drive for excellence, and partnerships), (2) praxis of learning (signature pedagogy, practice-based learning, creating adaptive learners, and professional formation), and (3) organizational structures and resources.

CONCLUSION

Building on the work of the Carnegie Foundation's Preparation for the Professions Program, a conceptual model was developed, representing the dimensions and elements of excellence in physical therapist education that is centered on the foundational importance of a nexus of linked and highly valued aims of being learner centered and patient centered in all learning environments, both academic and clinical.

Projeto pedagógico do curso de Fisioterapia da Universidade de Brasília

INTRODUÇÃO: A visível exaustão do modelo tradicional na formação do fisioterapeuta, a proposição de um novo perfil profissional e a mudança na abordagem no processo saúde-doença, que passa a observar a funcionalidade, vem estimular a necessidade de novos projetos pedagógicos para o ensino da fisioterapia. Este deve incluir uma perspectiva de transformação social e econômica da população regional, nesse caso o da região administrativa de Ceilândia, no Distrito Federal. OBJETIVO: Apresentar uma proposta de projeto pedagógico para curso de graduação em fisioterapia, valorizando a formação focada na funcionalidade humana em cenários de prática profissional propostos pelo Sistema Único Saúde (SUS). RESULTADOS: O currículo está sendo construído numa perspectiva inovadora com propostas no âmbito geral (núcleos modo de vida, sistemas biológicos, instrumentalização em fisioterapia e cenários das práticas em fisioterapia); no âmbito específico (manutenção da saúde, processo saúde-doença, atenção à saúde, funcionalidade humana, processo permanente de formação); e no âmbito complementar (atividades de pesquisa e extensão). A proposta de projeto pedagógico foi pensada de forma a contemplar os objetivos gerais e específicos esperados, bem como dos perfis profissional e social. A indissociabilidade do ensino-pesquisa-extensão assume uma referência na relação professor-estudante pela compreensão das atividades de pesquisa e extensão como elementos fundamentais do processo ensino-aprendizagem vinculado à vivência no contexto real, concretizando a relação teoria e prática, e com foco no SUS. CONCLUSÃO: A diversificação das práticas no contexto do SUS inclui uma perspectiva de transformação social e econômica da população no cenário social e político do Distrito Federal. Nesse contexto, prioriza-se a formação do profissional fisioterapeuta generalista, reflexivo e crítico, envolvido desde o princípio com o atendimento à comunidade nos diferentes níveis de atenção, voltado aos aspectos da funcionalidade humana.