Development of a competency model for physiotherapy in a German university hospital based on the CanMEDS framework

Susanne Klotz, Stefanie Dohse, Melanie Lemke, Friederike Grube, Gesche Ketels
Purpose:

The aim of the project is therefore to develop a physiotherapy competency profile based on the CanMEDS model and to discuss its application in a university hospital setting.

Methods:

The project is based on the methodology of Lippe & Davis (2023) for the development of competence profiles and is characterised by its sequential multimodal approach. After systematic literature research and workshops with experts and stakeholders, an initial competency model was created, which was further refined in the next step by means of comparative document analysis. The last step involved discussions with interprofessional focus groups and expert interviews with regard to its application in the university hospital setting.

Results:

The competence model describes the physiotherapy competences in the categories of the German Qualifications Framework: knowledge, skills, social competence and independence for the seven roles of the CanMEDS model. A special feature of the resulting model is the consideration of the tiered qualification system in levels 1 (Bachelor), 2 (Master) and 3 (doctorate) of the higher education qualifications framework.

Conclusion(s):

The competency model developed is the first systematic and compact representation of the competencies of German physiotherapists at Bachelor's, Master's and doctoral level. The model can be used to guide the training of prospective physiotherapists as well as an instrument for personnel development in organisations. Its applicability in the university hospital setting remains to be seen; initial indications will be provided by the focus groups still to be conducted.

Implications:

The competency model can be used as a development tool for the entire physiotherapy department of a university hospital and to identify new areas of responsibility and their requirements. Moreover, the model can also be applied as a personnel development tool for individual employees. A further field of application can be in the design of degree programmes whose final competencies are based on the competency model.

Funding acknowledgements:
This work was unfunded.
Keywords:
competence model
professional roles
university hospital
Primary topic:
Professional issues
Did this work require ethics approval?:
No
Has any of this material been/due to be published or presented at another national or international conference prior to the World Physiotherapy Congress 2025?:
Yes

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