A conceptual framework for curriculum design in physiotherapy education: an internationaöl perspective

• Globalization is having a significant impact on healthcare and physiotherapy education, among other sectors, can benefit from this trend. The main aim of this work was to develop and describe a conceptual framework for physiotherapy curriculum design and, in doing so, to stimulate international debate on physiotherapy education. The framework was developed through an international collaboration and was tried out in the participating schools in order to refine it further. The current framework consists of three elements to be taken into account in physiotherapy curriculum design: (1) The content aspect or the knowledge base of physiotherapy; (2) the learning aspect or the student's learning process; and (3) the socio-cultural context aspect, which concerns the way in which physiotherapy is experienced and practised. The content aspect includes a description of core concepts of physiotherapy: body, movement and interaction, and acknowledges that physiotherapy should be science-based. The learning aspect and the socio-cultural context aspect form separate parts of the framework. Nonetheless, all aspects are intertwined and reflect theory-practice integration. This framework is offered for critical reflection and as the basis for a debate on the development and evaluation of physiotherapy programmes. Further work is needed in testing the relevance of this framework for curriculum design in different countries and settings. Keywords: Core knowledge; curriculum development; physiotherapy practice; professional issues; post-graduate education; socio-cultural context; student's learning; theory-practice integration; undergraduate education

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Sjukgymnastik (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Physiotherapy (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Core knowledge; professional issues; post-graduate education; socio-cultural context; student's learning; theory-practice integration; undergraduate education

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)