Browsing by Author "Mocke, Marieke"

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    Competency framework development in healthcare : a physiotherapy perspective
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-03) Mocke, Marieke; Unger, Marianne; Hanekom, Susan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Physiotherapy.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: Background: Across the globe, countries are challenged to design healthcare systems that succeed in delivering equitable healthcare to their citizens. A competent health workforce has been cited as essential to address the burden of disease and improve the health of individuals and communities. Competency frameworks are important tools to describe such a workforce, reporting the skills, knowledge, behaviours and attitudes needed to meet the population’s health needs. However, for the profession of physiotherapy, consensus on competencies is not clearly defined. This poses a challenge to the development of physiotherapy competency frameworks. Understanding the global perspectives on physiotherapy competencies may assist in the development of competency frameworks that are applicable to the local context. Aims: The aims of this thesis are to identify and synthesise published physiotherapy competencies, and present a conceptual thematic framework which may guide the future development of contextually relevant physiotherapy competency frameworks. Methodology: Two separate phases were undertaken to accomplish the research aims. In phase 1, a document review of all published physiotherapy competencies was conducted. All competencies from these documents were extracted and collated within the structures of the Canadian Medical Education Directions for Specialists (CanMEDS) and the World Health Organization Rehabilitation Competency Framework (WHO RCF). Phase 2 utilised an inductive approach to thematically analyse the competency statements from the WHO RCF dataset compiled in phase 1. Results: The document review identified 20 documents for inclusion, with the first published in 2008 (Ireland) and the latest in 2021 (Latvia). The majority of current physiotherapy competency documents, and thus the descriptions of physiotherapy competencies, originate from high-income countries. The competencies extracted from all included documents could be accommodated within both the WHO RCF and the CanMEDS framework, suggesting that either may be used for developing competency frameworks for the physiotherapy profession. From the WHO RCF dataset, a conceptual thematic framework was developed consisting of 17 themes and 59 sub-themes. Conclusion: With the changing profile of the burden of disease, healthcare systems and the role of the physiotherapist must evolve. Adequately describing the competencies for physiotherapists to excel in their work is foundational to the credibility of the profession not only among health professions but within society. This thesis provides an updated perspective on physiotherapy competencies and serves as a springboard from which to define contextually relevant physiotherapy competencies. This conceptual thematic framework can aid in the development of a physiotherapy competency framework in any setting.