Physiotherapy clinical education in Australia: Educator profile, support needs and innovation in professional development.

Abstract

In Australia, and many international settings, clinical education is essential to prepare entry-level physiotherapy students for professional practice. Registered physiotherapists, commonly referred to as ‘clinical educators’, are responsible for facilitating student learning during clinical education. This involves providing opportunities for students to develop competence in clinical practice and regular performance feedback. Clinical educators are also responsible for assessing student competence against professional standards, remediating underperformance, and managing challenging situations. Consequently, the clinical educator role is often perceived as complex and difficult. Physiotherapists’ lack of preparedness for the clinical educator role may impact on student learning experiences and readiness for professional practice. Despite the vital contribution of clinical educators to entry-level student training, information regarding the involvement of Australian physiotherapists in clinical education is lacking. This includes details relating to their professional profile, and perceived confidence and skills in the role. Furthermore, little is known about physiotherapists’ perspectives on being a clinical educator and specific support requirements, including continuing professional development (CPD). Addressing these gaps in literature is essential to ensure physiotherapists are adequately prepared to be a clinical educator, and manage challenges associated with the role. The aims of this research were to explore the professional profile of Australian physiotherapists involved in clinical education, including their support requirements. In addition, this research sought to develop, and trial, innovative methods of professional development used to support Australian physiotherapy clinical educators. Therefore, the overarching purpose of this body of research was to contribute new knowledge regarding physiotherapy clinical education in an Australian context.