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A Study into the Underlying Causes of Physiotherapy Student Attrition
A Study of Physiotherapists as an Occupational Group with Special Reference to their Role in Research SALLY FRENCH MSC MCSP DipTP
researchers were significantly more positive regarding clinical work and had a more practical self-image. Few subjects felt they had received adequate instruction in statistics or research methodology during their basic physiotherapy education and most of the researchers had an additional qualification, usually a degree. The researchers were facilitated in their research efforts by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors: a strong interest in research, support from colleagues, and the belief that the profession would benefit from research were important: i s well as practical considerations such as financial assistance and time to carry out the research during working hours. Both the non-researchers and the 'potential' researchers were inhibited by lack of knowledge of research methodology and statistics; a busy life, a heavy workload and the belief that they would not be assisted financially or given time t o conduct the research during working hours, were powerful inhibitors. The non-researchers were, in addition, inhibited by a lack of interest in research coupled w i t h a greater interest in clinical practice. It was concluded that although significant differences did exist among the three sub-groups regarding research activity, these differences were overshadowed by the many practical problems faced by physiotherapists wishing t o undertake research.
Course: Master of Science in Psychology of Education, Institute of Education, University of London, 1983 Housed at: Institute of Education, University of London
THE question of why so little research has been undertaken in the physiotherapy profession is frequently raised. The main aims of this study were to describe physiotherapists as an occupational group and to discover factors which might differentiate three sub-groups; the researchers (those who had undertaken some research), the nonresearchers (those w h o had not) and the 'potential' researchers (those who had not undertaken any research but would like to). The sample comprised 120 practising physiotherapists and a questionnaire was used. No significant personality differences were found but the non-
Handicapped People in the Health and Caring Professions Attitudes, Practices and Experiences SALLY FRENCH MSC MCSP DipTP Course: Master of Science in sociology of Health and Illness, Polytechnic of the South Bank, 1986 Housed at: Polytechnic of the South Bank Publication: 'Attitude of physiotherapists t o the recruitrnent of disabled and handicapped people into the physiotherapy profession', Physiotherapy, 73, 7, 363-367
II
THIS study aimed t o investigate the attitudes and practices ot a wide range of health and caring professions towards the acceptance of handicapped people as health and caring professionals. It further aimed t o gain insight into the experiences of people w h o trained in these professions despite having a disability. A multi-method approach was adopted using content analysis, covert methods, questionnaires and interviews. It was found that attitudes and behaviour were rarely overtly negative but were not overwhelmingly positive either. Most negativity occurred at the stage of acceptance for training and during training. In contrast, the attitudes and behaviour of patients, fellow students and work colleagues, towards the disabled practitioner, seemed mainly Dositive. A multitude of factors which could contribute to these attitudes were identified. It was cautiously concluded that the knowledge and experience of disability which disabled people possess may be unrecognised or undervalued by teaching institutions. In contrast to this, patients, clients and many fellow professionals valued the unique dimension of experience which disabled practitioners possess.
A Study into the Underlying Causes of Physiotherapy Student Attrition FRANK REED hlSc XICSP DipTP Course: Master of Science in Rehabilitation Studies, University of Southarnpton, 1982 Housed at: Wessex Southarnpton
Medical Library,
University of
ON average the attrition rate from schools of physiotherapy in Great Britain is around 15%. This study investigates one school and the people in it t o identify the underlying causes for student drop-out. The methods adopted for the investigation are based upon an illuminative or social-anthropological methodology. This was considered the most appropriate approach as it allows data t o be
collected in its unique context with no attempt t o control or isolate the interrelated network of variables that exist in a teaching and learning environment. The adaptability of the approach allows for the discovery and development of important issues as the study progresses. In the course of the study, which involved data collection by observation, interview and questionnaire from teachers, students and dropped-out students, issues that are associated w i t h dropout are identified. Certain problems surrounding the training of physiotherapists are highlighted. Factors that mitigate against withdrawal, the identification of potential drop-outs and the effects of withdrawal on the people concerned all receive attention. The findings themselves suggest solutions, yet broader implications of the results are made apparent. These implications are discussed and related t o the broader fields of current educational thinking. A pen picture of the situation in which physiotherapists are trained is painted and the effects of the various issues raised upon student motivation and learning are highlighted and accounted for.
researchers were significantly more positive regarding clinical work and had a more practical self-image. Few subjects felt they had received adequate instruction in statistics or research methodology during their basic physiotherapy education and most of the researchers had an additional qualification, usually a degree. The researchers were facilitated in their research efforts by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors: a strong interest in research, support from colleagues, and the belief that the profession would benefit from research were important: i s well as practical considerations such as financial assistance and time to carry out the research during working hours. Both the non-researchers and the 'potential' researchers were inhibited by lack of knowledge of research methodology and statistics; a busy life, a heavy workload and the belief that they would not be assisted financially or given time t o conduct the research during working hours, were powerful inhibitors. The non-researchers were, in addition, inhibited by a lack of interest in research coupled w i t h a greater interest in clinical practice. It was concluded that although significant differences did exist among the three sub-groups regarding research activity, these differences were overshadowed by the many practical problems faced by physiotherapists wishing t o undertake research.
Course: Master of Science in Psychology of Education, Institute of Education, University of London, 1983 Housed at: Institute of Education, University of London
THE question of why so little research has been undertaken in the physiotherapy profession is frequently raised. The main aims of this study were to describe physiotherapists as an occupational group and to discover factors which might differentiate three sub-groups; the researchers (those who had undertaken some research), the nonresearchers (those w h o had not) and the 'potential' researchers (those who had not undertaken any research but would like to). The sample comprised 120 practising physiotherapists and a questionnaire was used. No significant personality differences were found but the non-
Handicapped People in the Health and Caring Professions Attitudes, Practices and Experiences SALLY FRENCH MSC MCSP DipTP Course: Master of Science in sociology of Health and Illness, Polytechnic of the South Bank, 1986 Housed at: Polytechnic of the South Bank Publication: 'Attitude of physiotherapists t o the recruitrnent of disabled and handicapped people into the physiotherapy profession', Physiotherapy, 73, 7, 363-367
II
THIS study aimed t o investigate the attitudes and practices ot a wide range of health and caring professions towards the acceptance of handicapped people as health and caring professionals. It further aimed t o gain insight into the experiences of people w h o trained in these professions despite having a disability. A multi-method approach was adopted using content analysis, covert methods, questionnaires and interviews. It was found that attitudes and behaviour were rarely overtly negative but were not overwhelmingly positive either. Most negativity occurred at the stage of acceptance for training and during training. In contrast, the attitudes and behaviour of patients, fellow students and work colleagues, towards the disabled practitioner, seemed mainly Dositive. A multitude of factors which could contribute to these attitudes were identified. It was cautiously concluded that the knowledge and experience of disability which disabled people possess may be unrecognised or undervalued by teaching institutions. In contrast to this, patients, clients and many fellow professionals valued the unique dimension of experience which disabled practitioners possess.
A Study into the Underlying Causes of Physiotherapy Student Attrition FRANK REED hlSc XICSP DipTP Course: Master of Science in Rehabilitation Studies, University of Southarnpton, 1982 Housed at: Wessex Southarnpton
Medical Library,
University of
ON average the attrition rate from schools of physiotherapy in Great Britain is around 15%. This study investigates one school and the people in it t o identify the underlying causes for student drop-out. The methods adopted for the investigation are based upon an illuminative or social-anthropological methodology. This was considered the most appropriate approach as it allows data t o be
collected in its unique context with no attempt t o control or isolate the interrelated network of variables that exist in a teaching and learning environment. The adaptability of the approach allows for the discovery and development of important issues as the study progresses. In the course of the study, which involved data collection by observation, interview and questionnaire from teachers, students and dropped-out students, issues that are associated w i t h dropout are identified. Certain problems surrounding the training of physiotherapists are highlighted. Factors that mitigate against withdrawal, the identification of potential drop-outs and the effects of withdrawal on the people concerned all receive attention. The findings themselves suggest solutions, yet broader implications of the results are made apparent. These implications are discussed and related t o the broader fields of current educational thinking. A pen picture of the situation in which physiotherapists are trained is painted and the effects of the various issues raised upon student motivation and learning are highlighted and accounted for.