Physiotherapy postgraduate studies in South Africa: Facilitators and barriers

Profile of physiotherapists working with soccer teams in South Africa

Background

Soccer is one of the fastest growing sports in South Africa and the number of physiotherapists working with soccer teams has increased significantly. Despite increased appointments, very little is known regarding the demographic, education and work profiles of these physiotherapists.

Objective

To determine the profiles of physiotherapists working with soccer teams in South Africa.

Methods

A descriptive, cross-sectional study was used to collect data from physiotherapists employed with soccer teams. Physiotherapists who were employed on a part-time basis and not registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and who did not give consent were excluded. A total of 38 physiotherapists working with soccer teams participated in our study. A questionnaire was circulated, and participants were given 4 months to complete and submit it.

Results

Results showed that participants had a mean age of 31.35 years and were employed for a mean time of 3.41 years. Most participants were African (89.48%) and worked with amateur soccer teams (52.63%). The education results indicated that 66.67% of participants held bachelor's degrees. Postgraduate- and undergraduate education were used most frequently by participants to guide clinical decision-making. Job satisfaction was satisfactory, but they were not satisfied with their salaries.

Conclusion

Our study is the first to investigate the profiles of physiotherapists working with soccer teams in South Africa. Demographic, education and work profiles for physiotherapists working with soccer teams were compiled, and the lack of information regarding the profiles of these physiotherapists was identified.

Clinical implications

Extensive future research is needed to inform and train physiotherapists regarding the management of soccer teams.

Motivation for postgraduate studies by nonacademic optometrists: A case study at a South African university

Background

An increasing number of optometrists who are nonacademics are pursuing postgraduate studies, despite such qualifications traditionally being more relevant to an academic rather than a clinical setting.

Aim

This study set out to explore possible reasons for the increase in postgraduate studies by nonacademic optometrists and their experiences thereof.

Setting

Postgraduate optometry students who were registered at a selected South African university within the period 2010–2020 participated in the study.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional research design was used, which entailed an online survey and a follow-up questionnaire focused on the motivation for postgraduate studies, choice of institution, research area, expectations and outcomes and supervision received. Convenience sampling was used to recruit the participants, and data were analysed with descriptive statistics.

Results

Responses were received from 54 optometrists who were pursuing postgraduate studies but not currently in academia. The main reasons reported for enrolling in postgraduate studies were interest in research (69.2%) and academia (61.5%). Institutional reputation was the reason provided by 48.1% of respondents for their choice of institution for their postgraduate studies. Fifty per cent of respondents opted for research in the public health field. To be a better researcher was the most common expectation (88.5%), with 73.1% indicating achieving this outcome. Most respondents indicated that they had received constructive and timeous supervision during their studies.

Conclusion

Interest in research and academia are important factors influencing nonacademic optometrists to pursue postgraduate studies; however, the postgraduate experience is likely to also facilitate development of other professional and clinical skills.

Contribution

This study provides an insight into the motivation and experiences of non academic optometrists who pursue postgraduate degrees.

Describing the Rehabilitation Workforce Capacity in the Public Sector of Three Rural Provinces in South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Study

The World Health Organisation emphasises the importance of addressing gaps in health systems where rehabilitation services are poorly integrated. In South Africa, regions with the largest disability rates are usually the areas where rehabilitation is least accessible, due to inadequate workforce capacity. The first step towards addressing workforce capacity is to determine current capacity. This paper presents a cross-sectional study to describe rehabilitation workforce data in the public sector of three rural South African provinces. A web-based therapist survey and a telephonic facility survey was conducted. Data were collected regarding total number of therapists per province, age, years employed, qualifications, salary level, profession type, level of care, and rural/urban distribution. Descriptive statistics were conducted, while Chi-squared tests compared professions regarding highest qualification and salary level. Population-adjusted ratios were calculated using national uninsured population statistics. The web-based survey had 639 responses while the telephonic survey reported on 1166 therapists. Results indicated that the mean age of therapists across the respective provinces was 28, 35 and 31 years of age, and the mean employment years in the respective provinces were three, eight and five years. Most of the workforce (n = 574) had a bachelor's degree as their highest qualification. A total of 27% of the workforce were community service therapists and 61% of therapists earned a production-level salary. Occupational therapy was best (40%) and speech and audiology therapy least (7%) represented. Three percent of therapists worked at primary level, versus eighty percent at secondary level. Forty percent of therapists worked in rural areas. Workforce density per province ranged from 0.71-0.98 per 10,000 population. Overall, results show that the rehabilitation workforce density is low, and that the distribution of therapists between rural and urban settings, and levels of care, is inequitable. Considering the rise in rehabilitation need, prioritisation and strengthening of the rehabilitation workforce capacity is vital to ensure integration across all levels of care and service.

Demographic transformation of the physiotherapy profession in South Africa: A retrospective analysis of HPCSA registrations from 1938 to 2018

RATIONALE, AIM AND OBJECTIVE

The physiotherapy profession did not escape the effects of racially based segregatory practises. While numerous strategies and initiatives have been employed to redress the inequities of the past, the extent of demographic transformation within the physiotherapy profession in South Africa remains uncertain. Transformation is defined in this article as an intentional change aimed at addressing inequalities and the ultimate goal is for population group and gender profiles of higher education graduates to be representative of the national epidemiological profile. This paper describes the demographic patterns of Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) registered physiotherapists from 1938 to 2018.

METHOD

A retrospective record review of the HPCSA database from 1938 until 2018 was performed. De-identified data were extracted, coded and analyzed for descriptive purposes. Z-tests were used for analysis of proportion differences, along with P-values and 95% confidence intervals for interpretation.

RESULTS

In 2018, 7663 physiotherapists (6350 women and 1313 men) were registered with the HPCSA. Most registered physiotherapists (55.6%) were classified as white, followed by black (17.3%), coloured (10.3%) and Indian (9.8%). A progressive increase was found in the number of new registrations over time (1949-2018) by black (0.00%-24.38% of total new registrations), coloured (0.00%-15.47%) and Indian individuals (0.00%-10.03%), with a statistically significant increase in newly registered black therapists in the decade prior to 2018 (P = .005). Gender transformation appears to be occurring at a slower pace as the profession remains female-dominated (82.9% of registered physiotherapists in 2018).

CONCLUSION

There has been a steady transformation of the South African physiotherapy graduates composition regarding population categories and gender. However, it is clear that much more than selection criteria is needed to transform the profession in a way that is nationally representative, remain actively accountable for transformation and apt for local context.

Factors influencing speech language pathologists' and audiologists' decision to pursue postgraduate studies in South Africa

BACKGROUND

Factors that influence various professionals to pursue postgraduate studies have been investigated. However, there is a dearth of evidence of factors that influence South African speech language pathologists (SLPs) and audiologists (As) to pursue their postgraduate studies.

OBJECTIVE

Therefore, this study aimed to determine factors that influence the decision of South African SLPs and As to pursue postgraduate studies and potential barriers to this pursuit.

METHOD

A quantitative survey research methodology with a cross-sectional research design was adopted, where a 21-item web-based survey was used to survey 127 speech therapists, As and speech therapists and As from across the country. All participants were qualified and registered with the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Ethical clearance and permission from relevant stakeholders were obtained. Data were analysed descriptively.

RESULTS

The findings suggested that over half of the participants pursued their postgraduate studies to fulfil a personal goal and improve their knowledge, whilst others did it to develop expertise and for job opportunities. Participants highlighted that a lack of time and funding, heavy workloads and bad experiences during their undergraduate studies were the main barriers to pursuing postgraduate studies. Whilst community service was not a barrier per se, participants felt that it delayed them from beginning their postgraduate studies immediately.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study highlighted the urgent need for institutions of higher learning, government and other stakeholders to provide the necessary support for SLPs and As in South Africa to pursue postgraduate studies.

The role of Allied Health Professions and Nursing Research Internships in developing a research culture: a mixed-methods exploration of stakeholder perspectives

BACKGROUND

Developing research capability and capacity within the healthcare professions is a challenge throughout diverse international settings. Within England, the National Institute for Health Research aimed to address these challenges through the Integrated Clinical Academic (ICA) research careers escalator for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals. Poor academic progression has been identified in the advanced stages of the pathway, though progression from the earlier entry point (Internship) has not previously been investigated. A national evaluation of four completed Internship cohorts was undertaken to explore stakeholder perspectives and progression beyond the Internship programme.

METHODS

A mixed methods project used sequential qualitative and quantitative data collection phases commencing with two stakeholder focus groups (n = 10); the findings informed the development of an online survey distributed to previous cohorts of interns (n = 104), their managers (n = 12) and academic mentors (n = 36). Eight semi-structured interviews subsequently explored the challenges and opportunities afforded by the internships. Thematic analysis was used to review qualitative data from focus groups and interviews, with survey data analysed and displayed using descriptive statistics. Synthesis of data from each phase is displayed within the four level evaluation framework outlined within the New World Kirkpatrick® Training Evaluation Model.

RESULTS

Important regional differences exist yet the internships are highly valued by all stakeholders. Representation varied between different professions, with nursing and some service-based professions poorly represented. All interns successfully completed the programme (n = 104), with evidence of positive impacts on interns, colleagues and patient care. Balancing research commitments with clinical activity was challenging; middle managers were seen as gatekeepers to programme success. Progression to the next stage of the ICA pathway is highly competitive and was achieved by only a quarter of interns; access to mentors outside of the funded programme is vital for a successful transition.

CONCLUSIONS

The Internship programme succeeds in providing a range of important early experiences in research, though progression beyond the programme is challenging due, in part, to a widening gap between Internship and the next level of the ICA framework. Vital mentorship support to bridge this gap is threatened by a lack of time and funding; therefore, the pursuit of a clinical-academic career will continue to be elusive for many nurses and allied health professionals. A partnership approach to clinical academic support at institutional level is needed with several international models offering alternative strategies for consideration.

The perceived barriers and facilitators in completing a Master's degree in Physiotherapy

BACKGROUND

Participating in postgraduate study is daunting and as yet there is a dearth of literature on what students' experiences are when obtaining their Master's degree in Physiotherapy.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to gain insight into the perceived barriers and facilitators in completing a Master's degree in Physiotherapy.

METHOD

Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 physiotherapists who had completed a Master's degree in Physiotherapy from a university in South Africa, representative of coursework and dissertation Master's degrees, completed within the stipulated time period as well as taking longer to complete the degree. The topics covered a range of speciality areas. The interviews were transcribed, sent for member checking and analysed thematically.

RESULTS

Within 10 interviews data saturation was reached. Two themes were identified: research environment and support, both of which were seen as either a facilitator or a barrier, depending on the participant. The theme of research environment was divided into categories of workplace and data collection. The second theme, support, was also seen as either a barrier or a facilitator. This theme encapsulated the categories of supervisor support, workplace support and a personal support network.

CONCLUSION

The research environment and support are two major factors that can influence the experience of obtaining a master's degree in physiotherapy, both positively and negatively.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

With increasing numbers of physiotherapists obtaining postgraduate degrees, universities need to facilitate the process of obtaining the degree, which will ensure more physiotherapists with postgraduate degrees, thereby strengthening the profession.