Employment Decisions and Preferences of Physiotherapy Graduates and Students in Canada: An Applied Research Study

The purpose of this article is to examine recent graduates' employment decisions, students' employment preferences, and factors influencing these choices, so as to inform physiotherapy recruitment. A cross-sectional observational survey was conducted of physiotherapy graduates and students in Manitoba, Canada, informed by the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Quantitative responses were summarized descriptively, and open-text responses were analyzed thematically. Seventy-seven participants completed the survey (40 graduates and 37 students). Forty-eight percent of graduates worked in private practice and 40% in public practice; 68% of students intended to work in both sectors, a pattern we call hybrid employment. Pay was the most frequently selected factor for graduates (78%) and students (100%). Benefits, work-life balance, and patient population also influenced employment choices. Qualitative findings highlighted the role of exposure to practice settings and collaborative work environments in employment choices. Health leaders should consider hybrid employment, total remuneration packages, clinical-placement experiences, and supportive teams when developing recruitment strategies.