Does UK Entry-Level Physiotherapy Education Prepare Graduates for a Future in Pediatric Clinical Practice? A Mixed-Methods Study

Identify the perceptions and experiences of how UK entry-level programs educationally prepared pediatric physiotherapists for their first clinical role. Review the extent programs taught essential, recommended, and additional content as per the International Organisation of Physical Therapists in Pediatrics (IOPTP).

Mixed methods design involving qualified UK pediatric physiotherapists. Forty-two physiotherapists completed an online questionnaire and nine (21%) completed a follow-up semi-structured interview.

All 42 respondents felt they were "Not Well" (median 2, IQR 1.75-2.75) prepared for clinical practice. Not enough curricula emphasis was given to pediatric content (100%), with 31% (n = 13, CI 95% 19-46) reporting no pediatric content throughout their program. Only 15 (36%, 23-51) respondents experienced a pediatric placement. Themes from the follow-up interviews were (1) UK programs are adult focused; (2) placements are the only meaningful opportunity to develop competency; (3) programs lacked non-clinical content; and (4) experiencing pediatric patients was overwhelming due poor preparation. The majority of the IOPTP curriculum guidance is not embedded within UK curriculums.

Respondents reported they were not well prepared for pediatric clinical practice. Some entry-level programs did not include any pediatric teaching throughout the entirety of the course.