File
Zeedia Y.1,2, Naser M.3, Al Far H.4
1Handicap International, Rehabilitation Program, Gaza, Palestine, 2Physical Therapist, Gaza, Palestine, 3Al-Azhar University, Physical Therapy Department, Gaza, Palestine, 4Self-Employed, Gaza, Palestine
Background: There are two universities with entry-level physical therapy programs in the Gaza strip. They have an average of 100 PT graduated per year, at this point, little is known about the impact of the clinical education component of these two programs for developing clinical competency for students and graduates, or whether those programs are meeting the WCPT standards for clinical education.
Purpose: This study aims to assess the clinical education component of two entry-level physical therapy programs in Gaza strip based on WCPT clinical education guidelines from the perceptive of 4th year students, recent graduates, and senior leaders in the programs.
Methods: A self-assessment 5-point Likert scale questionnaire (1: strongly disagree to 5: strongly agree), and an interview protocol were used in data collection,
A random sample of 104 fourth-year students and recent graduates were recruited to assess their perspective of clinical competencies they have developed as a result of the clinical education component within their PT entry level programs in Gaza. The questionnaire covered 8 competencies: risk management, professional behavior, ethical and legal practice, communication skills, evidence-based practice, patient assessment skills, intervention, and monitoring and evaluation. Nevertheless, the questionnaire was pre-tested on a similar sample and the overall internal consistency was found to be acceptable (Cronbach Alpha at 0.93),
In-depth interviews were conducted with a senior leader in each of the 2 physical therapy departments, interview questions were guided by the WCPT clinical education guidelines standards, and covered: contract content between PT department and clinical site, expectations of the clinical education coordinator, expectations of the clinical education site instructor, and expectations of the student.
Results: The majority of questionnaire respondents indicated that the clinical education component in both universities affected them positively and considered it useful in developing their clinical experience competencies (Mdn: 4, IQR: 0.25). On average, 96 % of respondents perceived their agreement that the clinical education component contributed to developing their clinical competencies in terms of ethical and legal practice, 87% in terms of communication skills, 80 % in term of professional behavior, 78% in term of risk management, 75 % in term of intervention, 70% in term of assessment, 57% in term of evidence based practice, and 51% in term of monitoring and evaluation.
Interviews output concluded that the majority of clinical education practices in both entry level programs are aligned with clinical education guideline issued by WCPT, considering some differences among the two universities. Having said that, there are parts of clinical education program practices in both entry level programs need to be revised and fine-tuned, specifically in expectation of the student part.
Conclusion(s): The majority of physical therapy students and graduates in the Gaza Strip considered the clinical education positive in developing their clinical experience competencies; however, the study results revealed considerable information on areas that need to be revised and further qualified based on WCPT guidelines.
Implications: While PT profession in Palestine is still evolving, the study results would draw PT educational programs attention for further technical revision and development of clinical education programs.
Funding acknowledgements: This study received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Topic: Education: clinical
Ethics approval: An ethical approval (PHRC/HC/162/16) was obtained form the Palestinian health research council for this study
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
