Christina Cassady1, Rehana Meru1, Nga Man Carmen Chan1, Julie Engelhardt1, Michelle Fraser2, Stephanie Nixon3. 1. Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. 2. International Health Division, Canadian Physiotherapy Association. 3. Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto ; International Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To explore the perspectives of Canadian physiotherapists with global health experience on the ideal competencies for Canadian physiotherapists working in resource-poor countries. METHOD: A qualitative interpretive methodology was used, and the Essential Competency Profile for Physiotherapists in Canada, 2009 (ECP), was employed as a starting point for investigation and analysis. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews (60-90 minutes) were conducted with 17 Canadian physiotherapists who have worked in resource-poor countries. Descriptive and thematic analyses were conducted collaboratively. RESULTS: The seven ECP roles-Expert, Communicator, Collaborator, Manager, Advocate, Scholarly Practitioner, and Professional-were all viewed as important for Canadian physiotherapists working in resource-poor countries. Two roles, Communicator and Manager, have additional competencies that participants felt were important. Three novel roles-Global Health Learner, Critical Thinker, and Respectful Guest-were created to describe other competencies related to global health deemed crucial by participants. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to examine competencies required by Canadian physiotherapists working in resource-poor countries. In addition to the ECP roles, supplementary competencies are recommended for engagement in resource-poor countries. These findings align with ideas in current global health and international development literature. Future research should examine the relevance of these findings to resource-poor settings within Canada.
PURPOSE: To explore the perspectives of Canadian physiotherapists with global health experience on the ideal competencies for Canadian physiotherapists working in resource-poor countries. METHOD: A qualitative interpretive methodology was used, and the Essential Competency Profile for Physiotherapists in Canada, 2009 (ECP), was employed as a starting point for investigation and analysis. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews (60-90 minutes) were conducted with 17 Canadian physiotherapists who have worked in resource-poor countries. Descriptive and thematic analyses were conducted collaboratively. RESULTS: The seven ECP roles-Expert, Communicator, Collaborator, Manager, Advocate, Scholarly Practitioner, and Professional-were all viewed as important for Canadian physiotherapists working in resource-poor countries. Two roles, Communicator and Manager, have additional competencies that participants felt were important. Three novel roles-Global Health Learner, Critical Thinker, and Respectful Guest-were created to describe other competencies related to global health deemed crucial by participants. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to examine competencies required by Canadian physiotherapists working in resource-poor countries. In addition to the ECP roles, supplementary competencies are recommended for engagement in resource-poor countries. These findings align with ideas in current global health and international development literature. Future research should examine the relevance of these findings to resource-poor settings within Canada.
Entities:
Keywords:
competency-based education; developing countries; qualitative research; world health
Authors: Donald C Cole; Colleen Davison; Lori Hanson; Suzanne F Jackson; Ashley Page; Raphael Lencuch; Ritz Kakuma Journal: Can J Public Health Date: 2011 Sep-Oct
Authors: Elizabeth Crawford; John M Biggar; Adrienne Leggett; Adrian Huang; Brenda Mori; Stephanie A Nixon; Michel D Landry Journal: Physiother Can Date: 2010-07-23 Impact factor: 1.037