To analyse the standardised feedback comments in the clinical assessments of overseas qualified physiotherapists. The objective is to understand the specific competency areas of improvement and to develop tailored educational supports for overseas qualified physiotherapists.
A retrospective, descriptive analysis of standardised feedback comments from clinical assessments conducted between January and August 2024 was performed. Clinical assessments were completed in one of the three practice areas: cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, or neurological rehabilitation. For each assessment, assessors can choose from a bank of 72 standardised feedback comments that are aligned to the marking criteria used.
Feedback data for 319 individual assessments were analysed. Twenty-three percent of the assessments were cardiorespiratory, 53% were musculoskeletal, and 24% were neurological rehabilitation. The average number of feedback comments received for an individual assessment was 13 (+/- 9.2). Feedback comments related to clinical reasoning were the most frequently chosen (top 35%). The specific comments highlighted the need to conduct targeted and tailored objective assessments, clinically justify and develop treatment plans, and appropriately monitor and adjust treatments. When analysed by clinical area, similar comments were identified for musculoskeletal and neurological assessments. Only the cardiorespiratory assessments had frequent comments related to conducting subjective assessments. Similarly, when analysed by country of training/qualification, the most frequent comments were also related to conducting targeted and tailored assessments.
Clinical reasoning appears to be a significant skill area that contributes to the failure rates of the clinical assessments of overseas qualified physiotherapists. Specifically, the ability to plan, choose and tailor assessments to be able to generate hypotheses and develop relevant treatment plans, has been identified as a major area of improvement. These skills are crucial for being able to work autonomously and as a primary contact practitioner in Australia. Overseas qualified physiotherapists trained in countries where the scope for autonomous practice is limited, may find their journey to registration challenging.
The insights have led to the creation of an online, interactive clinical reasoning course and preparatory materials targeting identified improvement areas, supporting overseas qualified physiotherapists in their assessments and professional development.
Competency
Licensure
