Introduction: To meet the global health ongoing needs, physiotherapists should have competences to
intervene in conditions and contexts throughout the life cycle of their clients/patients. Educating
physiotherapy students in the knowledge and skills required to operate in an acute care setting both
expands and improves their entry level capabilities as well as prepares them to intervene with patients
regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Alcoitão School of Health Sciences, Portugal and the Hanze University
of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands took the initiative to develop an International Minor Physiotherapy
Course in Acute Care, in order to address the ongoing demand in this specific environment, using the
opportunities given by the ERASMUS+, namely student and teachers mobility programs.
Methodology: The content was developed using the international descriptors of competences of the
Physiotherapist in Acute Care. Pedagogical and assessment strategies were chosen to reflect the
competencies to be achieved, with a strong focus on active learning. This Minor as taught entirely online
using asynchronous and synchronous strategies.
Results: At the end of the Minor edition, students answered anonymous online questionnaire on the
organizational and pedagogical aspects. The data revealed a very favourable opinion regarding the
contents discussed (more than 80% strongly agree), pedagogical approaches used, such as online
activities (more than 90% agree/strongly agree), teacher support (88% agree/strongly agree). Students
were satisfied with Minor's adaptation to the pandemic context, allowing them to obtain the necessary
skills to work in this context.
Conclusions: Based on the positive responses from the students, we consider the implementation to be
successful. The next steps are to integrate hybrid learning methodologies and broaden the participation
of students and professors from other international institutions. Promoting skills and knowledge needed
to work in acute care meets the growing need for professionals capable of working in the context of the
COVID-19 pandemic.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
