Student perceptions of the role of physiotherapy in the Paediatric Critical Care Unit (PCCU): a qualitative study

Roberts, Emily and Spencer, Holly 2021. Student perceptions of the role of physiotherapy in the Paediatric Critical Care Unit (PCCU): a qualitative study. Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists (APCP) Journal 12 (1) , pp. 47-56.

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Abstract

Background and Purpose Purpose: To gather physiotherapy students’ perspectives on the role of physiotherapy within a paediatric critical care unit to provide information to support undergraduate students and placement educators. Background: PCCU cares for children and young people between ages 0-18 years who are experiencing life- threatening conditions and require close monitoring and medical support to maintain or restore normal body function (NHS England, 2015). In 2017 nearly 20,000 children were admitted to a UK PCCU (PICANet, 2018) and increased survival rates mean emergence of complex health conditions and co-morbidities; resulting in greater need for services such as physiotherapy. Physiotherapists play an important role in the patient’s journey, however working in PCCU can be challenging due to matters such as mortality and morbidity, ethical dilemmas and communication difficulties. The CSP advocate students must accrue 1000 hours of clinical placement in a wide range of settings in order to develop a broad range of competencies and skills in the quest to gain accreditation (CSP, 2017), so physiotherapy students may spend time on a paediatric critical care placement and consequently experience these challenges. Gaining an understanding of physiotherapy student’s perspectives of the role of physiotherapy in PCCU will ensure training needs are met at an undergraduate level and identify areas needing adequate support from clinical educators and academics, thus ensuring future students are prepared for the nature of the role and the environment. Method The study used an interpretive approach to gather students’ perceptions of the role of physiotherapy in a PCCU. Data was collected from four semi-structured interviews with final year undergraduate physiotherapy students from one UK based University. Participants were selected via purposive sampling, as inclusion criteria required completion of a paediatric based placement and additional PCCU experience. A process of thematic analysis produced themes for discussion. Results Through a process of thematic analysis, four main themes were acknowledged. 1) the physiotherapists’ role in PCCU, 2) the PCCU environment, 3) parental involvement and 4) thoughts and feelings. Each theme presented with multiple sub themes. Conclusion Results revealed education is fundamental in preparing for the reality of the role the physiotherapist in PCCU. Participants perceived they had received an appropriate level of clinical skills preparation however, did not feel prepared emotionally or mentally for what they perceived to be a complex and overwhelming clinical environment and role. These experiences led to identification of methods in which an academic institution could better prepare their students to ensure reductions in anxiety and improved confidence prior to and throughout clinical placements. Key Points 1) Undergraduate physiotherapy students perceive a PCCU physiotherapist’s role to be overwhelming 2) Undergraduate physiotherapy students feel their higher educational institutions prepare them for the practical nature of the PCCU physiotherapist’s role. 3) Higher educational institutions should inform students of the complex nature of the PCCU environment and the physiotherapist’s role, thus reducing anxieties and allowing the student to maximize every clinical experience and opportunity

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Healthcare Sciences
Subjects:	R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics > RJ101 Child Health. Child health services
ISSN:	1368-7360
Date of Acceptance:	2021
Last Modified:	05 Jan 2024 09:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/147093

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