Physiotherapy postgraduate studies in South Africa: Facilitators and barriers.
Saul Cobbing, Stacy Maddocks, Simoene Govender and 5 others
PMID 30135897WHAT IT FOUND
Among 425 physiotherapists in South Africa surveyed, 20.5% had a postgraduate degree.
Cost or lack of financial support, lack of time and family commitments were common barriers. Expertise, personal goals and patient care were common reasons to study.
Key findings
01425 responses were analysed, and 20.5% of participants had completed a postgraduate degree.
02Participants without a postgraduate degree and participants with one reported the same main barriers: cost or lack of financial support, lack of time, and family commitments.
03The same two groups reported the same main facilitators: development of expertise, fulfilment of a personal goal, and improvement of patient care.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The response rate was 9.7%, so the findings may not represent all physiotherapists in South Africa. Only members on the South African Society of Physiotherapy e-mailing list were invited, and the researchers could not check undelivered e-mails or send direct follow-ups. Physiotherapists with postgraduate degrees or interest in postgraduate study may have been more likely to respond, so the 20.5% with a postgraduate degree may be too high for the country. The survey was self-developed and did not allow follow-up questions, so it may not capture reasons deeply. The sample was 89% female and 76.6% white, which may limit how well it reflects the profession in South Africa.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read 20.5% as the true national proportion of physiotherapists in South Africa holding postgraduate degrees. The survey was sent to 4535 people, received 442 responses, and analysed 425. The response rate was 9.7%. The researchers also noted that people with postgraduate degrees or interest in them may have been more likely to respond.