Shaping the physiotherapy process through health professions education: a qualitative study from Türkiye

The physiotherapy and rehabilitation process in Türkiye is carried out by "specialist physicians" and "physiotherapists". This phenomenological qualitative research aimed to explore how health professions education, particularly that of physiotherapists and referring physicians, shapes the physiotherapy process in Türkiye, through the experiences and perspectives of key stakeholders.

A purposive sampling method was employed to select the study group. Data were collected from a heterogeneous group of 12 individuals with extensive experience related to the research phenomenon. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were used for data collection. Verified transcripts were analyzed using an inductive approach that involved content, thematic, and descriptive analyses. The NVivo 10 software program was used for qualitative analysis.

The analyses identified three main themes with subthemes. A total of 140 meaningful expressions were coded. The main themes were identified as "independent practice," "education," and "treatment process." Despite physiotherapists' competence in managing treatment for diagnosed patients, the current system does not allow such practices. Furthermore, significant criticisms have been identified regarding the inadequacy of physiotherapy education policies.

The study reveals that the educational foundations of both physiotherapists and physicians significantly shape the physiotherapy process in Türkiye. Although physiotherapists receive extensive undergraduate training, inconsistencies in the quality of education and regulatory restrictions limit their clinical autonomy, impacting the efficiency of care delivery. Additionally, insufficient interdisciplinary training among physicians may hinder the implementation of collaborative rehabilitation practices. Enhancing the consistency, specialization, and integration of health professions education is essential for improving physiotherapy service quality and patient outcomes in Türkiye.