Epistemic beliefs as a determinant in evidence-based practice in physiotherapy–a multi-country (Europe) cross-sectional online survey study

Purpose: This article assumes that, in order to improve evidence-based practice in physiotherapy, practitioners need sophisticated epistemic beliefs. Epistemic beliefs, or how physiotherapists view knowledge and how they come to this knowledge, are an important factor. A high sophistication of epistemic beliefs is linked to better handling of the complexity and uncertainty of daily practice and the variety of evidence resources associated with this practice. Materials and methods: This study explored the epistemic beliefs of physiotherapists in 10 different countries in Europe using an online survey: the Connotative Aspects of Epistemic Beliefs (CAEB). Results and conclusions: The study resulted in 1419 surveys. The epistemic beliefs proved to be of little difference between countries, showing a low to moderate sophistication in epistemic beliefs. Given the similar results between countries, this study also suggested the possibility of collaborating internationally in developing an epistemology in physiotherapy that is more suited to the complexity of current demands on health systems. The development of sophistication in epistemic beliefs should be firmly on the agenda for the education of physiotherapists.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Epistemological beliefs of European physiotherapists – a multi-countrycross-cultural adaptation for the DEBQ and the CAEB questionnaires

[Abstract] This article assumes that epistemological beliefs of physiotherapists are an important determinant in improving the concept of evidence-based practice. Little research has been done on epistemological beliefs in physiotherapy. In order to measure the sophistication of epistemological beliefs in future research, two complementary questionnaires (DEBQ and CAEB) were cross-culturally adapted in nine different countries and seven languages in Europe. A standardized seven-step guideline was used to translate and culturally validate the questionnaires. The questionnaires were distributed in the respective countries, resulting in 1386 participants. The psychometric values were analysed in order to verify consistency and validity. Based on the validation process, the instruments are considered to be validly adapted for the countries involved. The uniformity in the adaptation process allows for future comparison of the countries

QuaranTrain: An international community of practice for learning

The Covid-19 pandemic presented challenges for students and teachers to engage and create good learning environments. In this situation, new opportunities for learners and teachers to engage and learn have evolved. Historically, communities of practices have been developed and used to help solve complex and dynamic challenges in society. The idea is that people get an opportunity to work together to solve a specific challenge or task. Here we present a pedagogical community of practice (CoP), QuaranTrain, where students from different countries have developed a platform for co-creation and sharing material and strategies for better health during a period with social distancing. This student-led and self-organised CoP have created a framework for learning that our health care educations can be inspired by and use in their programs. We conclude that out of this challenging situation, new and creative ways of learning emerged, which can enrich and develop health care education

Self-regulated learning in physical therapy education: a non-randomized experimental study comparing self-directed and instruction-based learning

Contains fulltext : 201354.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access

Projecto para a prevenção das consequências da inatividade e do isolamento social em jovens no contexto da Pandemia COVID-19

Introdução e Objetivos: A atividade física, é definida como qualquer movimento corporal produzido por músculo esquelético (Caspersen et al.,1985) que requer dispêndio de energia (Piggin, 2020). O contexto pandémico (COVID-19) promoveu uma diminuição da atividade física moderada a vigorosa, aumentando o sedentarismo e o isolamento social. Com o objetivo de prevenir as consequências da inatividade e do isolamento, foi criado por alunos de várias instituições internacionais o projecto QuaranTrain (quarantrain.org). Material e Métodos: Para ser incluído neste projecto, foi desenhado um programa, com o intuito de promover e guiar a prática de atividade física em casa, em 5 dimensões diferentes: flexibilidade, capacidade aeróbia, força, controlo ventilatório e técnicas de relaxamento. Foram também incluídas no programa 3 outras dimensões, entre elas: nutrição, saúde mental/autogestão emocional e recomendações da atividade física. Foi criada informação escrita e vídeos educativos que foram implementados no website internacional do projecto (quarantrain.org). No mesmo é possível ao utilizador, após a auto-avaliação determinar o seu nivel, construir o seu programa de exercício de diferentes intensidades categorizando-os por cores (verde, amarelo e vermelho). O programa foi divulgado entre os alunos da ESSAlcoitão durante o ano de 2021, tendo sido criado um questionário online para a avaliação de satisfação dos utilizadores com dimensões relacionadas com o objectivo, design/layout, conteúdos e usabilidade. Resultados: Obteve-se 32 respostas ao questionário distribuído pelos 4 anos dos cursos da ESSA (1º Ano - 18,8%, 2º Ano - 25%, 3º Ano - 43%, 4º Ano - 12,5%), onde foi reportado um grau satisfação elevado relativo ao objectivo do projecto (71%) e design/layout (71%) e moderado relativamente aos conteúdos (59%) e usabilidade (59%). Conclusões: Programas de educação são de extrema importância para a promoção de um estilo de vida saudável e na gestão da saúde de cada indivíduo. Assim a criação e implementação e utilização deste tipo de estratégias por alunos de licenciatura poderá ter interesse no contexto académico e profissional.N/

Collaborative effort to increase the physiotherapist’s competency in rehabilitation of torture survivors

Thank you for this opportunity to share perspectives from our work within the Physiotherapy and Refugees Education Project, PREP, an Erasmus+ funded project within the KA2 strategic partnership program. Researchers, educators, students, and clinicians within institutions of higher education, health services and humanitarian organisations, have worked together in this project to define competencies that physiotherapists need in working with refugees. Based on this, we have made a course openly available for physiotherapists worldwide. A central aim of the work in PREP has been the creation of a network in which educators, students and clinicians can meet, discuss, and learn from each other. We welcome everyone who shares our interest to join us in this network. In this perspective paper, we want to share our thoughts and opinions on how such a collaboration can be used for building competence. We will discuss topics that are central for physiotherapists working with victims of torture, and finally, we will discuss what we believe are the important next steps within physiotherapy to be able to support this group

Collaborative effort to increase the physiotherapist’s competency in rehabilitation of torture survivors

Thank you for this opportunity to share perspectives from our work within the Physiotherapy and Refugees Education Project, PREP, an Erasmus+ funded project within the KA2 strategic partnership program. Researchers, educators, students, and clinicians within institutions of higher education, health services and humanitarian organisations, have worked together in this project to define competencies that physiotherapists need in working with refugees. Based on this, we have made a course openly available for physiotherapists worldwide. A central aim of the work in PREP has been the creation of a network in which educators, students and clinicians can meet, discuss, and learn from each other. We welcome everyone who shares our interest to join us in this network. In this perspective paper, we want to share our thoughts and opinions on how such a collaboration can be used for building competence. We will discuss topics that are central for physiotherapists working with victims of torture, and finally, we will discuss what we believe are the important next steps within physiotherapy to be able to support this group