RESEARCH REPORT PLATFORM PRESENTATION

THE ROLE OF THE CANADIAN PHYSICAL THERAPIST IN GLOBAL HEALTH: A SWOT ANALYSIS. Alappat C¹, Siu G¹, Penfold A¹, McGovern B¹, McFarland J¹, Raman S²; ¹University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. ²University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the current and future roles of Canadian physical therapists (PTs) in global health initiatives (GHIs). The results of the study were used to generate a series of recommendations that may be used to guide the global health activities of Canadian PTs. RELEVANCE: The role of rehabilitation is poorly defined in developing nations. Canadian PTs may be well-positioned to use their professional skills and knowledge to contribute to the development of rehabilitation in GHIs. This study provides recommendations in practice, policy and education to enhance the work of Canadian PTs in GHIs. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-five internal and external sources were interviewed. Internal informants were PTs purposively selected from a group of members of the International Health Division (IHD) of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA). External informants were also purposively selected through a list generated within the executive committee of the IHD in order to maximize diversity of experiences and perspectives. The list of external informants included non-Canadian PTs as well as other health care professionals involved in GHIs across the globe. METHODS: The research design consisted of three phases: Phase 1: Identification and recruitment of key informants; Phase 2: Telephone interviews; and Phase 3: Data analysis using a qualitative software program (NVivo). ANALYSIS: A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) Analysis was used to categorize transcribed data into sub-themes according to the framework. RESULTS: Strengths of Canadian PTs included their educational background and training, professional adaptability, communication and teaching skills. Weaknesses included a lack of field experience and unrealistic expectations. Informants identified Opportunities in direct education and curriculum development, rehabilitation service development, and advocacy for the profession and clients. However, Threats that limited these opportunities included limited resources, cultural and language barriers, and local health care systems. CONCLUSIONS: The Strengths and Opportunities appear to outweigh the Weaknesses and Threats highlighting the potential for Canadian PTs to expand their involvement in GHIs. In addition to direct clinical service provision, Canadian PTs can undertake larger roles in education, advocacy, and program implementation. These results however highlight that there is a need for ongoing research regarding these potential opportunities. IMPLICATIONS: The results suggest that Canadian PTs are well positioned to partners with expanding physical therapy education programs in developing nations, and to promote the enlargement of rehabilitation programs that maximize use of local resources and ensure sustainability. At the macro level, opportunities for advocacy in policy-making exist both in developing nations, in particular for rehabilitation programs inclusive of persons with disabilities; and in Canada, where PTs can focus on increasing governmental support for GHIs with a rehabilitation focus. In order to enhance the role of the PT, we highlight the benefits of incorporating global health themes into entry-level physical therapy curricula and clinical internships. KEYWORDS: Global Health Initiatives, SWOT analysis. FUNDING ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Physiotherapy Foundation of Canada.

ETHICS COMMITTEE: Health Sciences I Research Ethics Board at the University of Toronto