Mitchell K.1
1University of Brighton, Health Sciences, Brighton, United Kingdom
Background: It is widely acknowledged that newly qualified professionals find the early stages of autonomous professional work challenging. A better understanding and addressing the challenges experienced by newly qualified physiotherapists is important to optimise transition processes to improve effectiveness, quality of care and job satisfaction. There are additional considerations concerning support requirements, retention costs and rates of attrition from an organisational perspective for maximising return of investment.
Purpose: The aim was to undertake an evaluation of existing literature on the challenges faced in the early stages of professional practice. Insights from the review aimed to extend the understanding to inform and guide the transition process, experiences and organisational strategies to optimise development and transition.
Methods: Systematic literature review with thematic analysis was undertaken applying critical evaluation of both the methodologies and research findings on the challenges for newly qualified physiotherapists during early stages of professional practice.
Results: It is evident that there are a multitude of challenges facing newly qualified physiotherapists, which are individual, varied and often interdependent. No single model or overview of factors and influences that encompass all the challenges for newly qualified physiotherapists within the literature. Significant variability in how transition is described and conceptualised across the literature, and in supporting strategies and programmes.
The literature review has identified four distinct themes that conceptualise and encompass the varied aspects of the challenges: Situation, Role, Personal and Learning and Development. Learning and Development was a key link and influence concerning these other aspects. This is illustrated in a new model.
Conclusion(s): Varying strategies to support the transition process exist; however, do not address or support the multivariate and diverse aspects of challenges identified by this review. To address the challenges in the early stages of professional practice, a multi-strategy approach would be recommended to encompass the potential areas of importance identified by the review. Formal and informal strategies such as preceptorship programmes, Flying Start and tools such as mentoring, senior support, and appraisal integrated into working practice are suggested.
This systematic review of the literature has provided a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges that may be experienced by the newly qualified physiotherapists. Four aspects of challenge were identified which include Situation, Role, Personal and Learning and Development. The new model can be used as an overview for undergraduates, newly qualified physiotherapists, seniors, managers and organisations, to understand the varied challenges. This new model offers a more encompassing approach to supporting the professional, clinical and personal development of newly qualified physiotherapists.
Implications: Barriers to learning and development, proficiency and practice have negative impacts for individuals and organisations and are important to deal with in an appropriate, timely and context-specific manner. Factors influencing challenges may manifest as poor coping mechanisms, limited competencies or difficulty with progression are important to deal with.
If the challenges in the early stages of professional practice are fully understood, they may be more effectively recognised and addressed, with support tailored for individuals. This should have qualitative and quantitative assessments of competency and accredited with an Institute of Higher Education.
Funding acknowledgements: Post-graduate research activity funded by East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
Topic: Education
Ethics approval: No ethical approval required
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
