Competencies for entry-level rural and remote physiotherapy practice: a Delphi approach
Introduction: Rural physiotherapy is a challenging area of practice that requires clinicians to respond to the unique factors that contribute to rurality. This study aimed to outline an introductory set of competencies that contribute to effective physiotherapy practice in rural Australia. Methods...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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James Cook University
2021-10-01
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| Series: | Rural and Remote Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.rrh.org.au/journal/article/6471/ |
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| author | Romany Martin Allison Mandrusiak Andric Lu Roma Forbes |
| author_facet | Romany Martin Allison Mandrusiak Andric Lu Roma Forbes |
| author_sort | Romany Martin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Rural physiotherapy is a challenging area of practice that requires clinicians to respond to the unique factors that contribute to rurality. This study aimed to outline an introductory set of competencies that contribute to effective physiotherapy practice in rural Australia.
Methods: A three-round Delphi study was undertaken using a panel of expert physiotherapists. The panel was asked to provide open-ended responses to the following question: 'What unique knowledge, skills, abilities, attributes or other characteristics do physiotherapists need to possess, or learn in order to provide effective physiotherapy specifically in a rural or remote setting?' These responses were then thematically analysed to create competencies. The competencies were evaluated in the subsequent rounds by the Delphi panel. Consensus was set at 80%. Rural and remote experts were determined through criteria including duration of practice, established expert frameworks, and self- or peer nomination. The publicly accessible Australian Physiotherapy Association database was used to access the contact details of 222 physiotherapists working in rural and remote locations across all Australian states and territories. Seventeen expert physiotherapists met inclusion criteria and consented to participation.
Results: Seventeen expert physiotherapists completed round one with a 100% response rate. Analysis of the expert panel responses yielded an initial 24 competencies. The second round had a response rate of 94.1%, and the third round 93.8%. A final set of 19 competencies was established. The knowledge, skills and attributes featured in the competencies relate to responsivity to rural locality, adapting to individual community needs and problem solving in response to challenges to practising in rural and remote locations.
Conclusion: This study has introduced a set of competencies that may contribute towards effective physiotherapy practice in the rural setting. The competencies provide a common language for physiotherapists and their employers, and may be used to guide training or mentorship in this setting. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T14:50:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c6305b563e38480a9c5d4468cfe772f6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1445-6354 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T14:50:02Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | James Cook University |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Rural and Remote Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-c6305b563e38480a9c5d4468cfe772f62022-12-21T21:04:11ZengJames Cook UniversityRural and Remote Health1445-63542021-10-012110.22605/RRH6471Competencies for entry-level rural and remote physiotherapy practice: a Delphi approachRomany Martin0Allison Mandrusiak1Andric Lu2Roma Forbes3School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4067, AustraliaSchool of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4067, AustraliaNorth West Hospital and Health Service, Queensland Health, Mount Isa, Qld 4825, AustraliaSchool of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4067, AustraliaIntroduction: Rural physiotherapy is a challenging area of practice that requires clinicians to respond to the unique factors that contribute to rurality. This study aimed to outline an introductory set of competencies that contribute to effective physiotherapy practice in rural Australia. Methods: A three-round Delphi study was undertaken using a panel of expert physiotherapists. The panel was asked to provide open-ended responses to the following question: 'What unique knowledge, skills, abilities, attributes or other characteristics do physiotherapists need to possess, or learn in order to provide effective physiotherapy specifically in a rural or remote setting?' These responses were then thematically analysed to create competencies. The competencies were evaluated in the subsequent rounds by the Delphi panel. Consensus was set at 80%. Rural and remote experts were determined through criteria including duration of practice, established expert frameworks, and self- or peer nomination. The publicly accessible Australian Physiotherapy Association database was used to access the contact details of 222 physiotherapists working in rural and remote locations across all Australian states and territories. Seventeen expert physiotherapists met inclusion criteria and consented to participation. Results: Seventeen expert physiotherapists completed round one with a 100% response rate. Analysis of the expert panel responses yielded an initial 24 competencies. The second round had a response rate of 94.1%, and the third round 93.8%. A final set of 19 competencies was established. The knowledge, skills and attributes featured in the competencies relate to responsivity to rural locality, adapting to individual community needs and problem solving in response to challenges to practising in rural and remote locations. Conclusion: This study has introduced a set of competencies that may contribute towards effective physiotherapy practice in the rural setting. The competencies provide a common language for physiotherapists and their employers, and may be used to guide training or mentorship in this setting.https://www.rrh.org.au/journal/article/6471/allied healthAustraliacompetenciesDelphieducationentry-level practice |
| spellingShingle | Romany Martin Allison Mandrusiak Andric Lu Roma Forbes Competencies for entry-level rural and remote physiotherapy practice: a Delphi approach Rural and Remote Health allied health Australia competencies Delphi education entry-level practice |
| title | Competencies for entry-level rural and remote physiotherapy practice: a Delphi approach |
| title_full | Competencies for entry-level rural and remote physiotherapy practice: a Delphi approach |
| title_fullStr | Competencies for entry-level rural and remote physiotherapy practice: a Delphi approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | Competencies for entry-level rural and remote physiotherapy practice: a Delphi approach |
| title_short | Competencies for entry-level rural and remote physiotherapy practice: a Delphi approach |
| title_sort | competencies for entry level rural and remote physiotherapy practice a delphi approach |
| topic | allied health Australia competencies Delphi education entry-level practice |
| url | https://www.rrh.org.au/journal/article/6471/ |
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