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Leppe J.1, Mauri-Stecca M.V.1, Roa Alcaino S.1, Merino-Osorio C.1, Besomi M.1, Molina J.1, Laport N.2, Perez N.3, Hasue R.4, Sizer P.S.5
1Universidad del Desarrollo, School of Physical Therapy, Santiago, Chile, 2Universidad del Desarrollo, Institute for Interdisciplinary Innovation iCubo, Santiago, Chile, 3Universidad del Desarrollo, Technology Transfer Office, Santiago, Chile, 4Universidade de São Paulo, Facultad de Medicina, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 5Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Center for Rehabilitation Research, School of Health Professions, Lubbock, United States
Background: Chilean physiotherapy master's programs are mainly associated with the acquisition of clinical skills and research on basic and applied sciences. The Universidad del Desarrollo (UDD) conceived the first hybrid post-professional Physiotherapy Master's degree program in Chile and Latinamerica.
Purpose: To develop an international collaborative, post-professional Master´s degree program in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation focused on clinical research, innovation and knowledge transfer and aimed at solving health-related problems at individual, community or population levels.
Methods: In January 2015, a qualitative and quantitative mixed methodology was implemented to gather relevant information to later create the Masters program at UDD. Interviews (qualitative) were conducted with physiotherapists, academicians, students and alumni of postgraduate physiotherapy courses from UDD, professional members of the Chilean physiotherapy association, and international academic specialists. An online survey (quantitative) contacted 451 former UDD physiotherapy students regarding the respondents preferred masters focus (basic, applied or clinical research) and program format (full-time versus part-time), as well as perceptions of UDDs capacity to deliver the proposed program. In March 2015, A group of senior faculty was created including a PhD physiotherapist from Universidade de São Paulo (USP) in Brazil, a PhD engineer from the transfer technology office at UDD and a PhD physiotherapist from Texas Tech University-Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) in the USA. The program was developed to meet all requirements from the Chilean Graduate Studies Accreditation Commission, as well as USP and TTUHSC standards. The curriculum created a logical and seamless educational bridge to international PhD programs.
Results: In April 2016, the post-professional Masters Degree Program was initiated. Administration and work flow was developed where:
(1) all online curricular components are administered by local UDD faculty;
(2) contact session delivery is shared between UDD and international faculty;
(3) weekly student work evaluation conducted by UDD faculty; and
(4) student project evaluation is shared between UDD and international faculty.
Masters students are required successfully complete 24 modules (total 1,440 hours) distributed across 4 main content areas: professional discipline; scientific inquiry and development; general professional courses; and electives. The program is hybrid in nature with a full time, 3-day contact session (at the UDD campus) once for each course per term (3 courses total per term). Students complete work on a virtual online platform across the term, focusing on innovation and knowledge transfer. The first present student cohort consists of 13 students (9 women) originating from 6 clinical expertise areas: musculoskeletal (5 students), Intensive Care (4), pediatrics (1), neonatology (1), women´s health (1) and physical activity and health (1). Students routinely explore the exchange of ideas across expertise areas. Classes are delivered in both Spanish and English.
Conclusion(s): International collaboration is feasible for a hybrid education model, optimizing post-professional physiotherapy graduate education delivery. Program internationalization allows a broader view of the Physiotherapy profession to students.
Implications: This program may be an alternative for Chile and neighboring countries in the formation of advanced human capital in physiotherapy. Training on innovation and knowledge transfer serves as a differentiating element from other physiotherapy programs in Latin America and the world.
Funding acknowledgements: This proyect was founded by Universidad del Desarrollo
Topic: Education: continuing professional development
Ethics approval: Ethics approval was not required
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
