Cinthuja P
Background: Physiotherapy is a profession with the holistic approach to maximize the movement and functional ability throughout the life span. Physiotherapy degree programme was commenced in Sri Lanka in 2006. Selecting an appropriate career is vital for an individual. The purpose of the study is to investigate the factors which influenced the selection of physiotherapy as a career among 1st-year undergraduate.
Methods: A cross sectional descriptive survey was conducted among first-year physiotherapy undergraduates in three universities before their university orientation programme, with the permission from the institution and written consent from the participants. The pre-tested questionnaire was used in the data collection. Data were analysed with SPSS 16 using appropriate descriptive statistics.
Results: 58 undergraduates from first-year physiotherapy programme participated in this study. 42 female and 16 male were responded to the questionnaire. 43% and 17% of participants enter to the physiotherapy programme in their Advance level third and first attempt respectively. Participants indicated working health related field, personal interest, Z-score, foreign employment opportunity, future scope for their career development are the reason for selecting physiotherapy as their career. None of them marked parents influence as a reason. Internet, friends, school teachers, parents and University prospects were the main source of information where they get to know about physiotherapy. There was a slight difference in impact of these factors among state and non-state responded.
89.6% participants stated that they have chosen physiotherapy profession since working in health related field was their main concern. 88% of them had dreamed of working in health field from their childhood. 89.7% participants consider that physiotherapy profession has a good reputation in society. 94.8% of respondent indicated that this career would develop their career pathway. 86.2% of participants consider this field as growing field in Sri Lanka.
Conclusion: One of the main factors to choose physiotherapy as their career is to work in health related field. Majority of the female choose physiotherapy as their career. The Internet is the main source of information by which they get to know about physiotherapy. Majority of them consider that this field would develop their career pathway.
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