Construction of System of Specialty and Development of Curricula of Physical Therapy for Undergraduate Based on ICF / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

Objective:This paper reviewed the current development of education of physical therapy and discussed the growing demand for physical therapists and gaps of their professional education. It is crucial to reconstruct a framework and system of sciences and specialty in physical therapy at the undergraduate level using WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to meet the requirement of core competency of physiotherapist developed by World Confederation of Physical Therapy. The core curricula should be integrated into the conceptual framework and approaches of functioning and rehabilitation. Methods:Using ICF, the construction framework, system of specialty and development of curricula of physical therapy at undergraduate education had been proposed and reconstructed. Results:With the theories and approaches of modern pedology and curriculum theory and ICF, referenced by competency requirements for physical therapists from World Confederation of Physical Therapy, three core courses had been proposed and their content had been reconstructed, involving the theories, methods and practical skills in the fields of physical therapy. These courses include functional diagnosis, intervention and evaluation based on ICF. Conclusion:It is implicated from the theory and approaches of ICF that the education and professional training of physical therapy should be tailored to the needs of health-related services.