Exploring Saudi Physical Therapists' Perceptions and Opinions on Their Profession: A Mixed-Method Study

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Sociology of Occupations
• Rehabilitation Sciences

Background:

• The occupational prestige of physical therapy (PT) varies globally.
• Understanding the perceived status of PT in Saudi Arabia is crucial for professional development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the occupational prestige of the physical therapy profession among practicing physical therapists and students in Saudi Arabia.
• To compare the perceived status of PT with other professions across various dimensions.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional, mixed-method study involving 175 participants.
• Self-administered questionnaires were used to rank professions on education, income, social standing, responsibility, and usefulness.
• Semistructured interviews were conducted to explore participants' perceptions.

Main Results:

• Physical therapy was ranked 6th in education, 9th in income and social standing, 5th in responsibility, and 3rd in usefulness.
• The profession received the lowest overall occupational prestige ranking compared to eight other professions.
• Interview data corroborated the quantitative findings, indicating a generally low perceived occupational prestige.

Conclusions:

• The perceived occupational prestige of physical therapy in Saudi Arabia is notably low, contrasting with findings from other countries.
• Factors related to the profession's history and nature in Saudi Arabia may contribute to these perceptions.
• Academic institutions and policymakers should actively promote the occupational prestige of physical therapy.