Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

A qualitative and quantitative investigation of the psychology content of UK physiotherapy education programs

Heaney, C., Green, A., Rostron, C. and Walker, N. (2012) A qualitative and quantitative investigation of the psychology content of UK physiotherapy education programs. Journal of Physical Therapy Education. 26(3), pp. 48-56. 0899-1855.

Item Type: Article
Abstract: Background and Purpose: A knowledge and understanding of psychology is recognized as being important to physiotherapy practice since psychological factors can impact upon physical recovery. However, little is known about the nature of psychology education within UK physiotherapy training programs. The purpose of the study was therefore to examine current psychology provision within physiotherapy programs in UK universities, using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Subjects: The participants were self-selected representatives from seventeen UK universities. These representatives were program directors, program leaders or lecturers teaching on the physiotherapy program. Methods: The participants were questioned regarding the nature and extent of psychology covered in their program, the delivery and assessment of any psychology content, the perceived importance of psychology in physiotherapy training, and factors influencing psychology provision in their physiotherapy programs. Results: All of the universities claimed to include some degree of psychology content within their physiotherapy programs and largely agreed that psychology is an important component in the education and training of physiotherapists. However, there appears to be great diversity both within and between universities in the provision of psychology education, and an underlying inconsistency between the reported importance of psychology and the demonstrated importance of psychology through its visibility within physiotherapy programs. Discussion and Conclusion: More needs to be done to standardize the psychology content of physiotherapy programs in order to ensure that students at all institutions receive a similar level of training in psychology that can positively impact on their professional practice
Uncontrolled Keywords: Education, physical therapy, psychology
Subjects: R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology > RM695 Physical medicine. Physical therapy > RM706 Study and teaching
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation. Leisure > GV706 Sports psychology
B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology > BF77 Study and teaching
Creators: Heaney, C, Green, A, Rostron, C and Walker, Natalie
Publisher: American Physical Therapy Association
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Health & Society > Sports, Exercise & Life Sciences
Faculties > Faculty of Health & Society > Sports, Exercise & Life Sciences
Date: October 2012
Date Type: Publication
Page Range: pp. 48-56
Journal or Publication Title: Journal of Physical Therapy Education
Volume: 26
Number: 3
Language: English
ISSN: 0899-1855
Status: Published / Disseminated
Related URLs:
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/5362

Actions (login required)

Edit Item Edit Item