Are physiotherapy students adequately prepared to successfully gain employment?

This is the post-print version of the final paper published in Physiotherapy. The published article is available from the link below. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. Copyright @ 2010 Elsevier B.V.Objectives - To explore the preparedness of final-year physiotherapy students for their progression into employment, and identify what universities can do to facilitate a smooth transition. Design - A single-cohort study, utilising a qualitative design incorporating a survey followed by transcribed and coded semi-structured interviews. Setting - Interviews were held in the Placement and Careers Centre at Brunel University, London. Participants - Sixty final-year full- and part-time students participated in the survey, and 12 final-year full- and part-time students participated in the semi-structured interviews. Methods - Sixty students completed a questionnaire which explored their preparedness for employment. Questions related to the current job situation, the application process and the student's ideal first post. Responses from the questionnaire were analysed and discussed further through a digitally recorded interview. Twelve students were interviewed by an experienced interviewer from a non-physiotherapy background. Results - Students felt unprepared for employment. Forty-seven per cent wanted a rotational post, but 26% would only spend 6 months and 39% would only spend 1 year looking for a job. Seventy-one percent would change career and 99% would work abroad if they were unable to secure a post in the UK. Most importantly, students could not identify transferable skills required by potential employers; only 25% cited effective communications, and 10% cited flexible working as a transferable skill. Self-management skills (e.g. prioritisation, time management and documentation) were not perceived as essential for employment. Conclusions - The job market requires physiotherapy graduates to possess transferable skills which can be applied to any situation. Many are integral to the profession and the undergraduate curriculum; however, analysis and assimilation of these skills cannot be assumed. Universities should reflect on their curriculum delivery to produce graduates who meet employers’ expectations and make a smooth transition into the workplace

Digital technology and governance in transition: The case of the British Library

Comment on the organizational consequences of the new information and communications technologies (ICTs) is pervaded by a powerful imagery of disaggregation and a tendency for ?virtual? forms of production to be seen as synonymous with the ?end? of bureaucracy. This paper questions the underlying assumptions of the ?virtual organization?, highlighting the historically enduring, diversified character of the bureaucratic form. The paper then presents case study findings on the web-based access to information resources now being provided by the British Library (BL). The case study evidence produces two main findings. First, radically decentralised virtual forms of service delivery are heavily dependent on new forms of capacity-building and information aggregation. Second, digital technology is embedded in an inherently contested and contradictory context of institutional change. Current developments in the management and control of digital rights are consistent with the commodification of the public sphere. However, the evidence also suggests that scholarly access to information resources is being significantly influenced by the ?information society? objectives of the BL and other institutional players within the network of UK research libraries

Universities' internal procedures for maintaining and monitoring academic standards

Available from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:q92/19987(Universities) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo

Our universities our future 4 - the case for a new higher education funding system; special report

The CVCP's evidence to the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher EducationSIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:q96/30273 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Guidelines on student mental health policies and procedures for higher education

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:m02/37450 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Part-time study in higher education

SIGLEGBUnited Kingdo

Student fees and loans in UK higher education

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:m01/16641 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Joint Planning Group for Quality Assurance in Higher Education Final report

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:q96/33258 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Higher education staff Pay review and professionalism

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:99/38887 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo