Service learning experiences of doctor of physical therapy students with a severe mental illness population
نویسندگان
1 Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
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چکیده
INTRODUCTION: Physical therapists provide important services to improve physical health forthe general population; however, physical therapy interventions are less utilized with underservedpopulations such as those with severe mental illness (SMI). The quality of services for thesepopulations is impacted in part by negative provider attitudes and lack of preparation to work withthe SMI population. This study examined the impact of structured educational field experience on thephysical therapist’s attitudes and knowledge about working with the SMI population. This will informfuture educational practices to best prepare students to provide quality of healthcare to the population.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven graduates of a doctor of physical therapy (DPT) programfrom a Mid‑Atlantic University in the United States who participated in an SMI service‑learning (SL)experience completed a semi‑structured qualitative interview in 2016. Questions about how theexperience impacted their current work were asked. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed,and examined using interpretive phenomenological analysis. Coding and investigator triangulationwere conducted. All interviews reached thematic saturation.RESULTS: The graduated DPT students reported attitudinal changes toward people with SMI throughqualitative interviews. They reported an improvement in their skills, greater competence to work withthe SMI population, and an increased focus in the use of person‑centered services.CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that DPT students gain an understanding of boththe SMI population and themselves during SL. Using SL as part of the DPT educational curriculumcan offer students and the opportunity to build confidence in working with the SMI population. SLcan also improve their skills and attitudes toward the population, key areas that are identified asbarriers to receiving quality physical healthcare among the SMI population.
