Challenges and Learning Opportunities of Pre‐Registration Physiotherapy Placements in First Contact Settings: The Perspectives of Musculoskeletal First Contact Physiotherapists

• Published in: Musculoskeletal care 2020-06, Vol.18 (2), p.140-149
• Main Authors: Bassett, Andrew Mark, Jackson, Jo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: challenges; first contact; learning opportunities; musculoskeletal; Musculoskeletal system; Physical therapy; physiotherapy; placements; pre‐registration students; Primary care; Registration; Students
• ISSN: 1478-2189; 1557-0681
• DOI: 10.1002/msc.1446

Objectives As musculoskeletal first contact physiotherapy is rolled out into primary healthcare in Britain, this could offer up new practice‐based educational opportunities for pre‐registration physiotherapy students. Thus, the present study sought to explore the perceived challenges and learning opportunities of pre‐registration physiotherapy placements in musculoskeletal first contact physiotherapy settings from first contact physiotherapists' perspectives. Methods Using a qualitative strategy, 15 musculoskeletal first contact physiotherapists from different geographical locations in Britain, participated in telephone mediated semi‐structured interviews. Participants were self‐selected through a Chartered Society of Physiotherapy fortnightly bulletin and online forum for first contact physiotherapists, or recruited via snowball sampling. Interview transcripts were analysed according to framework analysis ‐ and the findings were member‐checked by proxy. Results Three core themes emerged: operational challenges, challenges for pre‐registration physiotherapy students and learning opportunities for pre‐registration physiotherapy students. Operational challenges included: ensuring sufficient support from first contact physiotherapy practice educators; financial cost implications of placements, and; lack of capacity within the existing first contact physiotherapy workforce to provide placements. Challenges for physiotherapy students involved: time pressures and stressors of a first contact physiotherapy placement; identifying red flags, and; complexity of patient presentations. Identified learning opportunities for physiotherapy students were: experience of a specialised physiotherapy role in a primary healthcare setting; bringing awareness of first contact physiotherapy as a potential career pathway, and; experience multidisciplinary team working in primary care. Conclusions By seeking the perspectives of first contact physiotherapists, this study provides the first step for the development of placements in an emerging practice area.