Global task force
WCPT has launched a global task force to identify and consider the impact of COVID-19 on physiotherapy education.
The members of the task force are drawn from a wide range of organisations and networks, bringing together expertise and experience from different parts of the world and the physiotherapy profession. The task force will use their own personal and professional networks to share and gather information and experiences of what is happening now to help inform and shape the future.
Task force members:
- Patricia Almeida
- Tracy Bury
- Jean Damascene Gasherebuka
- Karim Martina Alvis Gomez
- Djenana Jalovcic
- Suh-Fang Jeng
- Rachael Lowe
- Nina Rydland Olsen
- Barb Sanders
- Emma Stokes
WCPT collaborates with ENPHE, ACAPT, CLADEFK on survey
One of the first activities of the task force is to share a collaborative survey, developed by ENPHE (European Network of Physiotherapy in Higher Education), ACAPT (American Council of Academic Physical Therapy), and CLADEFK (Centro Latinoamericano para el Desarrollo de la Fisioterapia/Kinesiologia) with WCPT.
The survey gathers information about the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in physiotherapy entry level education, and will help develop a picture of the challenges, opportunities and alternative strategies physiotherapists are using and considering. The results will be collated and shared to highlight experiences and solutions from different perspectives and contexts.
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are invited to submit a response using the online survey [one reply per HEI]: https://forms.gle/CubmGZdnyQF1RhHo8
There is a separate survey to gather physiotherapy students’ perspectives: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScfT2_Ep3uoz4KJeImCcBcM-18FB1EDpIXVj3TrGjM8wwEDEQ/viewform
The deadline for both surveys is 18 April.
WCPT appoints education professional adviser
WCPT has appointed Djenana Jalovcic as an education professional adviser. Djenana will be working with WCPT for 12 months on a portfolio of education projects.
WCPT initiated its recruitment for an education professional adviser back in January for an exciting and ambitious programme of work. The current pandemic beings a new dimension to the work. Djenana said: ‘During these unprecedented times we become more aware of the importance of global leadership, professional standards and guidelines to provide the best service to the people who need it the most. I am thrilled to join WCPT’s forward-thinking team and contribute to advancing physiotherapy education to prepare physiotherapists globally for complexities of the future practice.’
Based in Canada, Djenana is an inclusive development practitioner, an associate professor, department of health and functioning at the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences and the coordinator of the online Master Program in healthy ageing and rehabilitation. She has over 25 years of experience working in disability, community based rehabilitation and inclusive development.
She has worked with universities, non-governmental organisations, and multilateral agencies, and led a number of international projects, including rehabilitation projects.
As an educator, Djenana has designed and taught online and campus undergraduate and graduate programmes at universities in Europe, North America and Asia. She is a pioneer of online continuing education for disability, community based rehabilitation, and rehabilitation practitioners.
Djenana has an education doctorate in distance education from Athabasca University, Canada and Master degrees in Public Administration (healthHealth: 'Health' is defined in the WHO constitution of 1948 as a state of complete physical, social and mental well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. See also Health promotionSee full list of glossary terms policy and management) and Rehabilitation Science (disability in the community) from Queen's University, Canada. In 2018 she was recognised for her contribution to global health by her peers and included among 120 Canadian Women in Global Health.
