Martin B1, Barnes M1, Norton B1, Drefs S2
1University of Alberta, Physical Therapy, Edmonton, Canada, 2University of Alberta, Rehab Med - Continuing Professional Education, Edmonton, Canada
Background: All internationally educated physical therapists (IEPTs) and Canadian trained PTs, hoping to work in the PT profession in Canada, must pass a 2-part (written and clinical) National Physiotherapy Competency Exam (PCE) prior to licensure. This project evaluated the PCE pass rates, for IEPTs who completed a bridging program offered at the University of Alberta (U of A).
Purpose: The U of A Alberta Internationally Educated Physiotherapists Bridging (AIEPB) Program was started to assist IEPTs with their transition to Canadian practice by updating IEPT knowledge and skill, introducing the Canadian PT context and offering guidance and practice with PCE exam formats. Since its inception in 2013, four cohorts (N=70 IEPTs) have successfully completed the optional AIEPB Program. Analysis of PCE pass rates is an essential evaluation component of the AIEPB Program.
Methods: AIEPB Program data collection included data pertinent to the Canadian PCE. Tracking of the timing and number of PCE attempts plus the PCE pass/fail rates was undertaken. Quantitative analysis of AIEPB Program IEPT pass rates with comparison to the annual comprehensive IEPT PCE pass rates was completed. In addition, qualitative data was collected regarding the rationale when IEPTs chose to delay a PCE attempt following AIEPB Program completion.
Results: Of the 70 IEPTs who successfully completed the AIEPB Program, 47 (67%) have attempted the full PCE (written and clinical components) since 2014. Of the 47 who have attempted, 34 (72%) have passed the PCE and qualify for a practice licence. Of the remaining 13, 7 remain in the PCE process with more attempts scheduled and 6 have failed their last attempt (will not qualify for a licence in Canada). A 72% pass rate compares favourably to the overall annual comprehensive IEPT pass rates from 2014 to 2017 which ranged from 42-64%. The majority of IEPTs who attempted the PCE did so in the first year following the AIEPB Program. The 23 (33%) who have yet to attempt the PCE sited personal/family situations, lack of confidence and/or desire to continue to work as a therapy assistant/generic health worker in order to gain more experience, as the main reasons for delaying a PCE attempt.
Conclusion(s): Consistently, the annual PCE pass rates are significantly lower for IEPTs than for graduates of Canadian PT programs. A positive trend is apparent in the PCE pass rate for IEPTs who completed the U of A AIEPB Program. An overall pass rate of 72% for those who have attempted the PCE post AIEBP Program is higher than the annual IEPT pass rate for any years reported by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators. More tracking and analysis of how bridging programs can improve IEPTs PCE performance is indicated.
Implications: Passing the Canadian National PCE is a challenging requirement for many IEPTs and can present as a significant hurdle for IEPTs coming to Canada. Bridging programs that update IEPT knowledge and skill, introduce the Canadian PT context and offer practice with PCE exam formats should be more accessible to all IEPTs coming to Canada.
Keywords: Internationally Educated PTs, Bridging Program, National Exams
Funding acknowledgements: The original project to build the AIEPB Program was funded by Health Canada.
Purpose: The U of A Alberta Internationally Educated Physiotherapists Bridging (AIEPB) Program was started to assist IEPTs with their transition to Canadian practice by updating IEPT knowledge and skill, introducing the Canadian PT context and offering guidance and practice with PCE exam formats. Since its inception in 2013, four cohorts (N=70 IEPTs) have successfully completed the optional AIEPB Program. Analysis of PCE pass rates is an essential evaluation component of the AIEPB Program.
Methods: AIEPB Program data collection included data pertinent to the Canadian PCE. Tracking of the timing and number of PCE attempts plus the PCE pass/fail rates was undertaken. Quantitative analysis of AIEPB Program IEPT pass rates with comparison to the annual comprehensive IEPT PCE pass rates was completed. In addition, qualitative data was collected regarding the rationale when IEPTs chose to delay a PCE attempt following AIEPB Program completion.
Results: Of the 70 IEPTs who successfully completed the AIEPB Program, 47 (67%) have attempted the full PCE (written and clinical components) since 2014. Of the 47 who have attempted, 34 (72%) have passed the PCE and qualify for a practice licence. Of the remaining 13, 7 remain in the PCE process with more attempts scheduled and 6 have failed their last attempt (will not qualify for a licence in Canada). A 72% pass rate compares favourably to the overall annual comprehensive IEPT pass rates from 2014 to 2017 which ranged from 42-64%. The majority of IEPTs who attempted the PCE did so in the first year following the AIEPB Program. The 23 (33%) who have yet to attempt the PCE sited personal/family situations, lack of confidence and/or desire to continue to work as a therapy assistant/generic health worker in order to gain more experience, as the main reasons for delaying a PCE attempt.
Conclusion(s): Consistently, the annual PCE pass rates are significantly lower for IEPTs than for graduates of Canadian PT programs. A positive trend is apparent in the PCE pass rate for IEPTs who completed the U of A AIEPB Program. An overall pass rate of 72% for those who have attempted the PCE post AIEBP Program is higher than the annual IEPT pass rate for any years reported by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators. More tracking and analysis of how bridging programs can improve IEPTs PCE performance is indicated.
Implications: Passing the Canadian National PCE is a challenging requirement for many IEPTs and can present as a significant hurdle for IEPTs coming to Canada. Bridging programs that update IEPT knowledge and skill, introduce the Canadian PT context and offer practice with PCE exam formats should be more accessible to all IEPTs coming to Canada.
Keywords: Internationally Educated PTs, Bridging Program, National Exams
Funding acknowledgements: The original project to build the AIEPB Program was funded by Health Canada.
Topic: Education; Professional practice: other; Education
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: University of Alberta
Ethics committee: University of Alberta Research and Ethics Panel
Ethics number: Pro00047422
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
