Julie Bernhardt1, Lili Shyn-Li Tang. 1. National Stroke Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg Heights, VIC 3081, Australia. j.bernhardt@unimelb.edu.au
Abstract
QUESTION: What career paths have physiotherapist researchers taken? What should career paths for physiotherapist researchers look like? DESIGN: Observational study with questionnaire. PARTICIPANTS: Australian physiotherapists who had a completed a Doctor of Philosophy degree by 2006. RESULTS: Fifty-six of 87 physiotherapists with a doctorate degree (response rate 64%) completed the questionnaire. Over half had completed the doctorate since 2000. An interest in clinical research was the strongest driver for undertaking a doctorate degree. Of the respondents, 52% worked in traditional academic roles while those who pursued other mixed clinical/research or pure research paths reported a lack of job security; 38% continued to work clinically, with a further 43% reporting they would like to but had insufficient time or a career structure that did not allow clinical work. 54% felt that the profession valued research, while 63% felt that research was valued by clinicians. The four main suggestions for improving current research career paths were: 1) develop research careers that allow mixed clinical/research and academic/clinical roles; 2) improve funding for training, particularly post-doctoral positions, and secure appropriately funded physiotherapy research positions; 3) improve co-operation between academic (university) and clinical researchers; and 4) develop more flexible research careers to accommodate private practitioner researchers and others wishing to combine clinical work with teaching and research. CONCLUSION: Physiotherapist researchers need broader career options and seek greater opportunity to link with clinical practice. Encouraging a vibrant research culture should foster professional excellence and enhance our reputation in the community.
QUESTION: What career paths have physiotherapist researchers taken? What should career paths for physiotherapist researchers look like? DESIGN: Observational study with questionnaire. PARTICIPANTS: Australian physiotherapists who had a completed a Doctor of Philosophy degree by 2006. RESULTS: Fifty-six of 87 physiotherapists with a doctorate degree (response rate 64%) completed the questionnaire. Over half had completed the doctorate since 2000. An interest in clinical research was the strongest driver for undertaking a doctorate degree. Of the respondents, 52% worked in traditional academic roles while those who pursued other mixed clinical/research or pure research paths reported a lack of job security; 38% continued to work clinically, with a further 43% reporting they would like to but had insufficient time or a career structure that did not allow clinical work. 54% felt that the profession valued research, while 63% felt that research was valued by clinicians. The four main suggestions for improving current research career paths were: 1) develop research careers that allow mixed clinical/research and academic/clinical roles; 2) improve funding for training, particularly post-doctoral positions, and secure appropriately funded physiotherapy research positions; 3) improve co-operation between academic (university) and clinical researchers; and 4) develop more flexible research careers to accommodate private practitioner researchers and others wishing to combine clinical work with teaching and research. CONCLUSION: Physiotherapist researchers need broader career options and seek greater opportunity to link with clinical practice. Encouraging a vibrant research culture should foster professional excellence and enhance our reputation in the community.
Authors: Rachel J Wenke; Elizabeth C Ward; Ingrid Hickman; Julie Hulcombe; Rachel Phillips; Sharon Mickan Journal: Health Res Policy Syst Date: 2017-02-06