1
|
Mak S, Thomas A, Razack S, Root K, Hunt M. Unraveling attrition and retention: A qualitative study with rehabilitation professionals. Work 2024:WOR230531. [PMID: 38669505 DOI: 10.3233/wor-230531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health human resources are scarce worldwide. In occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT), and speech-language pathology (S-LP), attrition and retention issues amplify this situation and contribute to the precarity of health systems. OBJECTIVE To investigate the phenomena of attrition and retention with OTs, PTs and S-LPs who stayed in, or left their profession. METHODS Cultural-historical activity theory provided the theoretical scaffolding for this interpretive description study. We used purposeful sampling (maximum variation approach) to recruit OTs, PTs, and S-LPs from Quebec, Canada. Individual interviews were conducted with 51 OTs, PTs, and S-LPs from Quebec, Canada, in English or French (2019-2020). Inductive and deductive approaches, and constant comparative techniques were used for data analysis. RESULTS Six themes were developed: 1) characteristics of work that made it meaningful; 2) aspects of work that practitioners appreciate; 3) factors of daily work that weigh on a practitioner; 4) factors that contribute to managing work; 5) relationships with different stakeholders that shape daily work; and 6) perceptions of the profession. Meaningfulness was tied to participants' sense that their values were reflected in their work. Factors outside work shaped participants' work experiences. Recurrent negative experiences led some to leave their profession. CONCLUSION Findings underscore a critical need to address contributing factors to attrition and retention which are essential to ensuring the availability of OTs, PTs and SLPs for present and future rehabilitation needs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Mak
- School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Pine Avenue West, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Institute of Health Sciences Education, McGill University, Pine Avenue West, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre de Recherche Interdisciplinaire en Réadaptation du Montréal Métropolitain, Institut Universitaire Sur la Réadaptation en Déficence Physique de Montréal (Lindsay Pavillon), Hudson, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Aliki Thomas
- School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Pine Avenue West, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Institute of Health Sciences Education, McGill University, Pine Avenue West, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre de Recherche Interdisciplinaire en Réadaptation du Montréal Métropolitain, Institut Universitaire Sur la Réadaptation en Déficence Physique de Montréal (Lindsay Pavillon), Hudson, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Saleem Razack
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Centre for Health Education Scholarship, University of British Columbia, P. A. Woodward Instructional Resources Centre (IRC), Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kelly Root
- School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Dalhousie University, College Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Matthew Hunt
- School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Pine Avenue West, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Institute of Health Sciences Education, McGill University, Pine Avenue West, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre de Recherche Interdisciplinaire en Réadaptation du Montréal Métropolitain, Institut Universitaire Sur la Réadaptation en Déficence Physique de Montréal (Lindsay Pavillon), Hudson, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kleiner MJ, Kinsella EA, Miciak M, Teachman G, Walton DM. "Passion to do the right thing": searching for the 'good' in physiotherapist practice. Physiother Theory Pract 2024; 40:288-303. [PMID: 36097762 DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2022.2116740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Practitioners' perspectives of what constitutes a 'good' physiotherapist have not been explicitly examined despite their potential implications for the future practice of physiotherapy. Physiotherapists' perceptions may inform professional priorities including education curricula, professional practices, competency profiles, and patient interactions. PURPOSE The purpose of this research was to examine physiotherapists' perceptions of what constitutes a 'good' physiotherapist. The context of the study was musculoskeletal practice (MSK). METHODS A hermeneutic phenomenological investigation was undertaken. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve experienced MSK physiotherapists to examine their perceptions of what constitutes a 'good' physiotherapist. FINDINGS Seven themes were identified. Good physiotherapists were depicted as: 1) oriented to care; 2) integrating knowledge sources; 3) competent; 4) responsive; 5) reflective; 6) communicative; and 7) reasoning. To deepen the understanding of these themes, we discuss the findings in relation to Joan Tronto's ethic of care theory. CONCLUSIONS Physiotherapists' perceptions of what constitutes a 'good' physiotherapist highlight practices that may underpin an ethic of care including the pivotal role of person-centered and relational dimensions of practice. The findings call into question the profession's emphasis on a technical rationalist approach to education and clinical practice and invites conversation about future directions that balance technical competence with relational dimensions of practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle J Kleiner
- QuinnRehab, Barrie, ON, Canada
- Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Graduate Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Anne Kinsella
- Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Graduate Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Sciences Education, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Maxi Miciak
- Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Gail Teachman
- Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Graduate Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, Elborn College, London, ON, Canada
| | - David M Walton
- Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Graduate Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, Elborn College, London, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Norman KE. Clinician's Commentary on Boyczuk et al. Physiother Can 2019; 71:144-145. [PMID: 31041931 DOI: 10.3138/ptc.2017-70-cc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen E Norman
- Associate Professor and Associate Director, Research and Post-Professional Programs, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario;
| |
Collapse
|