Browsing by Author "Williams, Leone Geraldine"

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    Exploring the perceptions of physiotherapy students on their preparedness to include exercise in the treatment of cancer patients
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-04) Williams, Leone Geraldine; Van Schalkwyk, Susan Camilla; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Centre for Health Professions Education.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: Undergraduate health professions curricula should equip students with the requisite knowledge, skills and attitudes to manage patients within their local communities. Given the ever increasing incidence of cancer in South Africa, it could be argued that responsive curricula should include cancer-related content. Current literature, however, indicates that qualified physiotherapists have had limited undergraduate education on exercise for cancer patients. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of undergraduate physiotherapy students at Stellenbosch University regarding their preparedness to include exercise in the management of cancer patients. A qualitative research design was used. The study was conducted in the interpretivist paradigm with a phenomenological research approach. Purposive sampling was employed to recruit fourth year physiotherapy students with exposure to the management of cancer patients. Focus groups were used for data collection. An experienced, independent facilitator guided the two focus group discussions, using a semi-structured interview guide. Thirteen students provided written informed consent to participate in the study. Ethical approval was obtained to conduct this study. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Four themes were identified namely: i) students’ perspectives of cancer; ii) students’ knowledge of cancer in the context of physiotherapy; iii) students’ response to providing treatment; and iv) students’ perspectives on the implications for the curriculum. Cancer was regarded as a comorbidity, and students preferred to focus their management on the familiar signs and symptoms patients presented with. Physiotherapy students reported limited knowledge of cancer and expressed uncertainty about their role in the management of cancer patients. Students were perplexed by the use of exercise for cancer patients and were concerned about worsening the patient’s condition. Students reported an array of distressing emotions during the management of cancer patients, with no reports of debriefing mechanisms. Suggestions for improvement of the curriculum included focused time on cancer-related content, specific skills training and equitable allocation of cancer patients during clinical rotations. The study findings highlight the interplay between the study participants’ learning needs and their identity development as physiotherapists during the management of cancer patients. Study participants suggested that the curriculum could better prepare them for the management of cancer patients by creating opportunities for them to learn through collaboration, exposure to cancer patients and community of practice. Curriculum developers should reconsider foci and time allocation to better prepare undergraduate physiotherapy students to manage cancer patients.