Digital Entry-Level Education in Physiotherapy: a Commentary to Inform Post-COVID-19 Future Directions.

Area of Science:

• Physiotherapy Education
• Digital Learning
• Pedagogical Adaptation

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid shift from traditional face-to-face physiotherapy education to digital learning environments.
• This transition impacted pedagogical approaches, requiring educators to adapt teaching methods for remote delivery.

Discussion:

• This commentary examines the effectiveness, user perspectives, and limitations of digital education within physiotherapy.
• It highlights the need to consider both the benefits and drawbacks of online learning in this specialized field.
• The discussion informs future directions for physiotherapy education in the post-pandemic era.

Key Insights:

• Pre-COVID-19 evidence supports integrating digital education into entry-level physiotherapy programs.
• Digital platforms offer flexibility and accessibility but require careful consideration of pedagogical strategies.
• User perspectives are crucial for successful adoption and refinement of digital physiotherapy education.

Outlook:

• Addressing challenges such as social inequality and robust student evaluation methods is critical for sustainable digital physiotherapy education.
• Future physiotherapy curricula should strategically blend digital and in-person learning experiences.
• Proactive measures are needed to ensure equitable access and effective learning outcomes in digital physiotherapy education post-COVID-19.