A Brief but Spectacular Take: Reflecting on Professionalism by Student Physical Therapists.

Abstract

Background and purpose: Professionalism is an abstract concept that requires reflection for students to generate personal meaning and application. It should be taught explicitly within the academic part of a professional physical therapist education program. The purpose of this case report was to present one unique strategy to increase reflection about professionalism.

Case description: Forty-four students enrolled in the first semester of a professional physical therapist education program participated in the case report. All were enrolled in a 1-credit hour course, Professional Issues, in which they developed a 2- to 3-minute video presenting their brief but spectacular take on various professional issues. Students responded in an online discussion tool to 2 of their colleagues' videos, developing a rich conversation. An optional 11-item survey about student satisfaction with the assignment was distributed electronically. A 4-point Likert scale was used for 10 items with the 11 being open ended.

Outcomes: An analysis of the video presentations identified 4 themes: diversity, equity, and inclusion; self-care; core values; and patient management. Discussions were positive, professional, and encouraging. The optional survey had a 45% response rate. The medians for individual items ranged from 3 (6 items) to 4 (3 items).

Conclusions: Reflection is essential to provide meaning in the learning process. Creating a video reflection that allowed students to describe their passion for the profession and then to discuss it in an online format was a unique teaching/learning activity. The concept of professionalism was successfully explored using the assignment that was well-received, and most students found it beneficial to their personal growth.