Learning experiences of physiotherapy students during primary healthcare clinical placements
Date
2014-10
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health & Medical Publishing Group
Abstract
Background. Primary healthcare (PHC) is necessary to address the health needs of communities. It creates the opportunity for the attainment of curricular outcomes through community-based education. Appropriate learning opportunities are needed to enable students to develop the necessary skills to attain these outcomes.
Objectives. To describe the learning opportunities occurring during physiotherapy PHC placements and to explore the role the learning environment and learning opportunities played in attaining the outcomes for the placements.
Methods. A descriptive case study was conducted using different strategies for data collection and analysis. Participants completed a record sheet to indicate time spent on different activities. Observational site evaluations, individual interviews with site representatives and focus-group discussions with students were conducted to explore their perceptions about PHC clinical placements.
Results. The results indicated that the participants valued PHC placements as powerful learning environments. However, students did not have the opportunity to engage satisfactorily in activities that foster the principles of PHC. Participants acknowledged that several resource constraints existed in this context; however, they identified several potential valuable learning opportunities. Students suggested curriculum-specific strategies needed to prepare them for PHC, and recognised the need for healthcare services in the communities they served.
Conclusion. While the PHC learning environment was rich and authentic, learning opportunities need to be optimised to enable students to fully reach the outcomes for the placements. Learning opportunities need to be crafted to foster collaborative learning, interdisciplinary learning, community engagement and empowerment.
Description
CITATION: Ernstzen, D.V., Statham, S.B. & Hanekom, S.D. 2014. Learning experiences of physiotherapy students during primary healthcare clinical placements. African Journal of Health Professions Education, 6(2):211-216, doi:10.7196/ajhpe.530.
The original publication is available at http://www.ajhpe.org.za
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.
The original publication is available at http://www.ajhpe.org.za
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.
Keywords
Physical therapy -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa, Primary health care -- South Africa
Citation
Ernstzen, D.V., Statham, S.B. & Hanekom, S.D. 2014. Learning experiences of physiotherapy students during primary healthcare clinical placements. African Journal of Health Professions Education, 6(2):211-216, doi:10.7196/ajhpe.530.