Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2008-09-27"
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- Use of information and communication technologies by physiotherapist and physiotherapy students in PortugalPublication . Pinto, M; Alves Lopes, AntónioPURPOSE: This study aims to determine the use of the ICT by Physiotherapist and Physiotherapy students. RELEVANCE: The European Benchmark Statement(ER-WCPT) refers that the Physiotherapist should have skills in the area of ICT, so that he/she is able to search for the required evidence to validate his/her practice, as well as managing the data and records stemming from his/her clinical practice. Therefore those skills should be developed during their basic training and used to support and deliver Lifelong Learning PARTICIPANTS: A sample of Physiotherapy students (n=982) and Physiotherapists (n=261) from a population of members of the Portuguese Association of Physiotherapists (APF). METHODS: We use a validated questionnaire subdivided into 6 dimensions (sample characterization, equipment characterization, usage characterization, attitudes and knowledge, barriers and necessities). ANALYSIS: The procedures used were essentially descriptive statistics. RESULTS: When inquired 99% of the students reported using computer in academic activities of which 42.6% as a weekly usage between 0 and 3 hours and 36.7% between 3 and 5 hours and 57.4% referred the importance of using ICT in the school context. The Physiotherapists use more frequently the computer at home (80%), followed by the workplace for 16%, when inquired 68% reported using computer on the workplace, of which 52% also have access to the internet. Regarding the main obstacles in using ICT, 51% of students and 18,7% of the Physiotherapists refer the lack of specific knowledge in this area and 18,5% refer to the lack of time to use them. As for the training needs felt by the Physiotherapists, 19% refers having lack of training in using clinical assessment software and 17,5% refer lack of training in using exercise software for producing patient information and handouts. CONCLUSIONS: Through the analysis of the results of this study it is demonstrated that although the good accessibility to the ICT by students and professionals in their institutional and home environment the use is yet scarce because of lack of time and specific knowledge to use it. IMPLICATIONS: There seems to be the need to create institutional programs and projects that promote the usage of ICT by investing in the training of students and Physiotherapists, and promoting the usage of ICT in the workplace.
- Physiotherapy education 2.0: using collaborative web based tools in education and clinical practicePublication . Alves Lopes, AntónioPURPOSE: In the recent years we have witnessed a rapid increase in the use of Web-based tools. These Web 2.0 applications, particularly wikis, blogs and podcasts, have been increasingly adopted by many online health-related professional and educational services. Because of their ease of use and rapidity of dissemination, they offer the opportunity for powerful information sharing and ease of collaboration that can be taken anywhere, providing the potential for "anytime, anywhere" learning experiences (mobile learning). RELEVANCE: Students are now more mobile than ever, and often find themselves located some distance from a parent institution on professional practice placement. The uses of such technologies to encourage learners' deeper engagement with learning materials, and the affordance of shared working spaces to improve collaboration between learners are desirable outcomes. It is generally held by many educators that students of all ages learn best when immersed within a culturally and socially rich environment in which scaffolding of learning can be achieved. DESCRIPTIONS: In the context of the Physiotherapy course in the Escola Superior de Saúde do Alcoitão we have used in the last 3 years a set of web based tools to promote collaborative teaching/learning in the academic and clinical setting. EVALUATION: The participation of academic staff, students and clinical educators as been very high. CONCLUSION: The latest generation of collaborative Web-based tools, namely wikis, blogs and podcasts, offer many unique and powerful information sharing and collaboration features. Careful thinking and research are still needed in order to find the best ways to leverage these emerging tools to promote the teaching and learning.