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M. Gabrieles1, D. Lipardo2, I.N. Gomez2
1De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Cavite City, Philippines, 2University of Santo Tomas, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Manila, Philippines
Background: Globally, neurological disorders are the second leading cause group of death and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). It include stroke, parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, dementia, etc. In the Philippines, stroke is the second leading cause of death. Despite big demands for neurological rehabilitation, there are no formal neurological physical therapy (PT) specialization in the country.
Purpose: The study aims to determine the perspectives of Filipino PTs towards neurological PT specialization.
Methods: Qualitative-Descriptive study design was used to examine experiences of PTs in terms of its enablers and barriers to specialization. Twelve physical therapists were recruited through purposive sampling and were individually interviewed comprehensively. Questions used during the interview were based on the different constructs of the Health Belief Model (HBM). Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and encoded using NVIVO software. Thematic analysis was used to classify themes that emerged from the transcripts.
Results: The motivation and enablers for pursuing neurological specialization were identified (i.e. improvement of patient care, professional development, financial gains, and educational development). Barriers to specializing in neurological PT can be attributed to a lack of regulating body for PT specialization, attitude towards specialization, time constraint and post-graduate studies. Majority of the participants that were interviewed do not consider themselves specialists in neurological PT due to lack of formal certification in the field, and limited practice due to the current PT practice in the country.
Conclusion(s): The need for neurological PT specialization were highly regarded by the participants as a concern that needs immediate action. Participants view neurological PT specialization as an important aspect in improving the quality of life and function of the patient.
Implications: This study can be used by regulating body for physical therapists to identify the factors that may affect pursuance of neurological PT specialization and use that knowledge to create a plan for a more specialized PT practice.
Funding, acknowledgements: This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public or commercial sectors.
Keywords: specialization, continuing professional education, physical therapy specialization
Topic: Education: continuing professional development
Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: University of Santo Tomas
Committee: UST Graduate School Ethics Review Committee
Ethics number: GS-2018-PN054
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
