{"title":"The exemplary physical therapist students in clinical education: a phenomenological study.","authors":"Laura Hagan, Melissa Tovin","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2024.2376677","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Physical therapy educators strive to achieve excellence in education and develop clinicians who are prepared to meet the health needs of society. Previous research has focused on describing the traits, beliefs, and experiences of exemplary educators and clinicians to inform didactic and clinical curricula and serve as a model for expert practice. However, no studies have explored the experiences and perspectives of exemplary students.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The aim of this phenomenological study was to describe the traits, beliefs, and experiences of exemplary physical therapist (PT) students in clinical education.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A phenomenological design was utilized to gather data through semi-structured interviews with 26 students from the United States who met the criteria for exemplary and were completing their terminal clinical experience or were within six months of graduation. Data were analyzed using constant comparison and methodological rigor was maintained using an inquiry audit, peer debriefing, member checking, and pilot interviewing.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A <i>Desire to Serve</i> emerged as an overarching theme. The essence of being exemplary was further elucidated through the following themes: (1) <i>Being adaptable (2) Being reflective (3) Embracing challenges and seeking opportunities (4) Valuing a collaborative relationship with their CI (5) Importance of self-care, and (6) Coming into my own as a PT.</i></p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Given the emphasis on excellence in physical therapy education, these results can provide insights for defining the necessary qualities for achieving excellence in both classroom and clinical environments. Additionally, these findings can assist educators in fostering excellence-driven attributes among entry-level students.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.6000,"publicationDate":"2024-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2024.2376677","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"REHABILITATION","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Physical therapy educators strive to achieve excellence in education and develop clinicians who are prepared to meet the health needs of society. Previous research has focused on describing the traits, beliefs, and experiences of exemplary educators and clinicians to inform didactic and clinical curricula and serve as a model for expert practice. However, no studies have explored the experiences and perspectives of exemplary students.
Purpose: The aim of this phenomenological study was to describe the traits, beliefs, and experiences of exemplary physical therapist (PT) students in clinical education.
Methods: A phenomenological design was utilized to gather data through semi-structured interviews with 26 students from the United States who met the criteria for exemplary and were completing their terminal clinical experience or were within six months of graduation. Data were analyzed using constant comparison and methodological rigor was maintained using an inquiry audit, peer debriefing, member checking, and pilot interviewing.
Results: A Desire to Serve emerged as an overarching theme. The essence of being exemplary was further elucidated through the following themes: (1) Being adaptable (2) Being reflective (3) Embracing challenges and seeking opportunities (4) Valuing a collaborative relationship with their CI (5) Importance of self-care, and (6) Coming into my own as a PT.
Conclusion: Given the emphasis on excellence in physical therapy education, these results can provide insights for defining the necessary qualities for achieving excellence in both classroom and clinical environments. Additionally, these findings can assist educators in fostering excellence-driven attributes among entry-level students.
期刊介绍:
The aim of Physiotherapy Theory and Practice is to provide an international, peer-reviewed forum for the publication, dissemination, and discussion of recent developments and current research in physiotherapy/physical therapy. The journal accepts original quantitative and qualitative research reports, theoretical papers, systematic literature reviews, clinical case reports, and technical clinical notes. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice; promotes post-basic education through reports, reviews, and updates on all aspects of physiotherapy and specialties relating to clinical physiotherapy.