Variation in the Geographic Distribution of Physiotherapy Student Clinical Placements in Rural Saskatchewan

Rural and remote Saskatchewan has a shortage of physiotherapists. Positive student experiences in rural and remote communities may influence whether graduates choose to work in these settings. The intention of the first full-time, 4-week clinical placement (CP) in the Master of Physical Therapy programme at the University of Saskatchewan is to provide clinical experiences in rural settings outside Saskatoon and Regina. This study examines the geographic distribution of and yearly variation in these CPs to determine whether this stated intent is being realized. We analyzed the locations of physiotherapy student CPs from 2008 to 2016 using geospatial mapping. Spatial patterning using mapping identified variability in the number of rural placements in geographical regions in Saskatchewan over a 9-year period. An average of 75% of CP experiences occurred in rural locations outside the two major cities in Saskatchewan between 2008 and 2016 (ranging from 58% in 2015 to 84% in 2009). The goal of providing all University of Saskatchewan physiotherapy students with a rural experience for their first CP is not being met. Securing more CPs in rural settings may have a positive impact on recruitment of physiotherapists to these communities.