Comparative study of physiotherapy educators in Great Britain, Nigeria and the United States

This study was conducted to investigate the relative characteristics of physiotherapy educators in three countries, namely Great Britain, Nigeria and the United States. Data was collected from heads of physiotherapy training programmes and faculty members in these countries. Results showed that while physiotherapy training programmes in Britain were hospital-based and diploma awarding those in Nigeria and the United States were university-based and degree awarding. Educators in Great Britain and the United States were predominantly female while those in Nigeria were almost equally mixed sex-wise. Respondents from Britain reported the lowest percentage of academic degrees, research activity, publications and paper presentations at conferences relative to their American and Nigerian counterparts. Results also showed that there was variability in the ranking system in the three countries. An insight into the differences in the educational experiences and background of educators in the three countries studied is likely to facilitate exchanges between these countries.