Navigating postprofessional physical therapist education.

Abstract

Postprofessional education for physical therapists (also known as physiotherapists) is vitally important. It enables the clinician to gain confidence and satisfaction at work, helps the profession obtain more autonomy with higher educated professionals, and allows for a high quality of care for the client. Despite the agreement that postprofessional education is necessary and important, many obstacles exist that limit access to high quality postprofessional education. The aim of this thesis was to examine and compare postprofessional physical therapy education in AUS and the USA, identify the barriers and benefits to postprofessional education today, and propose and test models of postprofessional education that can help advance postprofessional education internationally. This thesis provides information about physical therapist entry level education and postprofessional education at the programmatic level and at the user level. It clearly identifies concerns and barriers to postprofessional education, and provides practical, useful solutions to issues of cost, accessibility, and the need for greater international collaboration.