Motivations for studying physiotherapy and familiarity with employment situation among physiotherapy students at variously oriented university-level schools in Poland

Joanna Gotlib, Dariusz Białoszewski, Anna Cabak, Katarzyna Barczyk, Aleksandra Bauer, Wojciech Kułak, Piotr Majcher, Olga Nowotny-Czupryna, Maciej Płaszewski, Janusz Sierdziński

Tomasz Wolny, Edward Saulicz, Rafał Gnat, Mirosław Kokosz, Michał Kuszewski, Andrzej Myśliwiec – Motivations for studying physiotherapy and familiarity with employment situation among physiotherapy students at variously oriented university-level schools in Poland. Fizjoterapia Polska 2009; 9(3); 232-244

Abstract
Background. There is considerable interest in studying physiotherapy in Poland and in many countries of the European Union. The objective was to identify the factors that motivate applicants to choose Physiotherapy studies and find out what students know about working in Poland and other EU countries. Material and methods. The study sample comprised 954 1st year BA students from eleven universities: medical sciences (MS), physical education (PE), and other universities (OU). The statistical analysis was based on questionnaires obtained from : 211 MS, 118 PE and 625 OU. Results. Students relied on advice of active physiotherapists when choosing a study programme: 62% ME, 57% PE and 68% OU. Respondents would like to study for the Master’s degree and take up work: 55% PM, 56% PWF and 62% IP. Students were not familiar with employment opportunities: 87% MS, 91% PE and 73%. The most important factors aiding in finding a job are knowledge and skills: 43% MS, 42% PE and 45% OU. Conclusions. 1. The respondents did not choose studies by accident but based their decision on stereotypes. 2. Universities should set great store by their teaching standards as applicants decide to choose a university on the basis of opinions about the particular university. 3. There is a need to develop a professional information service on study opportunities in physiotherapy in Poland that would necessarily include objective information regarding employment opportunities for physiotherapists in EU countries and in the world.
Key words:
employment situation, motivation, European Union, physiotherapy, type of university
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