Introduction
Methods
Setting and participants
Student | Gender | Setting | Placement region | Organised by |
---|---|---|---|---|
ESP1 | F | Hospital | Europe | University |
ESP2 | M | Private practice | Europe | University |
ESP3 | M | Private practice | Asia | Student |
ESP4 | F | Hospital | Africa | University |
ESP5 | F | Private practice | North America | Student |
ESP6 | F | Hospital | Africa | University |
ESP7 | F | Private practice | Africa | University |
PT1 | F | Hospital | Europe | University |
PT2 | F | Hospital | Europe | University |
PT3 | F | Rehabilitation centre | Asia | University |
PT4 | M | Private practice | Australia | University |
PT5 | F | Private practice | South America | University |
ET1 | F | Private practice | South America | University |
ET2 | F | Private practice | South America | University |
ET3 | F | Private practice | South America | University |
Data collection
Data analysis
Results
Orientation
You are continuously busy and you don’t really have time to say ‘I can review in the evening’. Working hours are between ten and six o’clock. After six o’clock you might be able to study for a little while, but we live half an hour away by bus; a three quarters of an hour walk. … It was quite a problem. (Dutch female, 21 years old, Asia)
We had been emailing. But it was really nice to talk to him [via Skype], because he made his expectations very clear and I told him, well, ours, which he knows already. He basically said that for him it’s a learning experience for me, which is a really nice way to give me space. He said that what I put in, I’ll get out, type of thing. (Swiss female, 25 years old, Africa)
… the clinical instructor unfortunately is very slow in responding at this moment, although that may have to do with the clinical circumstances, I presume …, which means I am going abroad on a clinical placement but have no idea what to expect. I am also left with a lot of questions. (Dutch female, 20 years old, Europe)
Yes, I do believe it was kind of a standard talk. [As new interns] we were able to ask questions as well. But it was all very relaxed, like: ‘This is what you’ll be doing, and you will … You can choose someone to supervise you and work with. And slowly but surely you will grow into your own patient load’. (Dutch female, 20 years old, Europe)
We must keep a certain distance from the clients. Because here, even if you look them in the eye or look at them, they may think you are flirting with them. And that’s not what you want in here. So, I feel I have a professional role and want to keep it that way, which means I have to be careful somehow. (Dutch female, 20 years old, Asia)
Also when I was talking to the local physiotherapy students, [I realised] it is pretty much the same how you structure your sessions, for example in patient history and what registration forms you use, and, yes, how you are supposed to do your assessment. (German female, 22 years old, Africa)
Adjustment
At the beginning I found it difficult to be engaged … I found it difficult to remember what they were testing and why and then the different steps. So, I became more engaged as time passed I would say. (Swiss female, 25 years old, Africa)
I think it’s just inevitable … If you see a new person around, it’s easier to kind of engage them if they’re on their own. And it’s just like, when there’s a group it’s much more effort or whatever, they’re all … Like, say that the surgical team wanted to invite you along to something, then it’s like, well, there’s three of them, so probably not. Whereas if it was just one, it probably would happen. (British female, 27 years old, Africa)
In [the main location] there are only separate rooms whereas in [the other location] there’s the gym where almost every therapist is working. It’s just a large space with different beds, closed off by curtains, which makes it more accessible. Because you can simply ask: ‘look, I don’t know exactly, could anyone please help me out with this test?’ or something. (Dutch male, 24 years old, Australia)
[As a new intern] I do not want to take too much space. But I also want to learn of course, so some kind of space I have to take. So yes, it is this thing of trying to understand with each person, how is it that you make it harmonious, the situation, without breaking the flow of the session, also because there is a patient there. (French male, 33 years old, Europe)
Contribution to patient care
I think it’s important to gauge the energy levels of the physiotherapist to see how much they want to involve me or not. So, I succeed sometimes, other times I am not engaged because I am tired. And then other times I am not engaged because I … yes, I feel like it would kind of rock the boat too much. (Swiss female, 25 years old, Africa)
Well she said that we are very independent, and that we get our patients and then … most of the time we take the patients to the physiotherapy room and try to treat them. Once you are kind of done with your patients, you are usually free or you can do something else, so yes, that is what they’ve told us. (German female, 22 years old, Africa)
So then there will be not everyone, but five, six physiotherapists that have lunch together. In these meetings for example, everything happens in a foreign language and I understand not everything but quite some. But then it is again … Like I do not want to- If I start speaking in English then the whole situation changes to English and I feel like I [snaps fingers] break the flow or something? But that is more me. (French male, 33 years old, Europe)
Belonging
My biggest personal goal was to become more self-confident and speak up in case people would want me to simply follow their lead, which I usually allow. And now I felt I really had stood up for myself, so I can proudly say that I have managed the situation well. And I think, if I hadn’t done so, I might have ended up feeling a lot less comfortable [in this placement] than I do now. (Dutch female, 21 years old, Europe)
I remember before I had my first own patients, I would be in co-therapy and I would barely say anything and barely speak to the patient and just follow instructions, basically. Now, when I’m in with a therapist, I also communicate with the patient. Also, when they give me the space to lead, I’m no longer [too] shy to take over and to act. (German female, 22 years old, Europe)