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. 2022 Feb 2;74(3):278-286.
doi: 10.3138/ptc-2020-0040. eCollection 2022 Aug.

Experiences of Physiotherapy Students, Health Care Providers, and Patients with a Role-Emerging Student Clinical Placement in an Emergency Department: A Qualitative Study

Jennifer Withers  1 , Caitlyn Zavitz  1 , Tony Nguyen  1 , Jessica Baglole  1 , Nadia Kashetsky  1 , Evelyn Graham  1 , Rob Brison  2 , Melanie Law  1 , Randy Booth  1 , Jordan Miller  1
Affiliations

Experiences of Physiotherapy Students, Health Care Providers, and Patients with a Role-Emerging Student Clinical Placement in an Emergency Department: A Qualitative Study

Jennifer Withers et al. Physiother Can. .

Abstract
in English, French

Purpose: To understand the experiences and perspectives of physiotherapy (PT) students, their clinical instructor, nurses, physicians, and patients with a role-emerging student clinical placement in an emergency department (ED) and to identify barriers and facilitators in implementing this placement model. Method: We conducted qualitative semi-structured interviews with 6 PT students, 1 PT clinical instructor, 15 nurses, 12 physicians, and 17 patients. Five researchers independently coded the transcribed interviews and performed thematic analysis in an interpretive description tradition with frequent peer debriefing and reflexive discussions. Results: Students and their clinical instructor reported that the placement setting provided a unique learning opportunity. Patients and ED staff noted that involving the PT students in patient care delivery improved the musculoskeletal assessments and self-management advice provided to patients. Identified barriers included students' inability to chart in the electronic medical record, lack of bed space, and lack of clarity about students' scope and abilities. Reported facilitators included positive perceptions of the students' supervision and a perceived positive impact on patient care and the health care team. Conclusions: Participants reported positive experiences with the student ED placement and recommended similar placements in the future. Understanding barriers and facilitators in implementing PT student clinical placements in an ED can inform future placements.

Objectif : comprendre les expériences et les perspectives des étudiants en physiothérapie, de leur moniteur clinique, des infirmières, des médecins et des patients à l’égard d’un stage clinique émergent en physiothérapie à l’urgence et déterminer les obstacles et les incitatifs à l’adoption de ce modèle de stage. Méthodologie : entrevues qualitatives semi-structurées auprès de six étudiants en physiothérapie, un moniteur clinique en physiothérapie, 15 infirmières, 12 médecins et 17 patients. Cinq chercheurs ont codé la transcription des entrevues de manière indépendante et ont procédé à une analyse thématique dans la tradition de la description interprétative accompagnée de fréquents bilans avec les collègues et de fréquentes discussions réflexives. Résultats : selon les étudiants et leur moniteur clinique, le milieu de stage fournissait une occasion d’apprentissage unique. Les patients et le personnel de l’urgence ont remarqué que les étudiants amélioraient les évaluations musculosquelettiques et les conseils d’autoévaluation fournis aux patients. Les obstacles perçus étaient l’incapacité des étudiants à consigner l’information dans les dossiers médicaux électroniques, le manque de lits et le manque de clarté quant à la portée de pratiques et aux capacités des étudiants. Les incitatifs constatés incluaient les perceptions positives à l’égard de la supervision des étudiants et la perception de conséquences positives sur les soins pour les patients et l’équipe soignante. Conclusions : les participants ont fait état d’expériences positives dans le cadre des stages des étudiants à l’urgence et ont recommandé des stages semblables à l’avenir. Le fait de comprendre les obstacles et les incitatifs à la mise en œuvre de stages cliniques pour les physiothérapeutes à l’urgence pourra éclairer les futurs stages.

Keywords: education; emergency medicine; physiotherapy specialty; qualitative research; rehabilitation.

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Figures

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Figure 1
Themes and contributing informant groups, by study objective.
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