ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The transition from physiotherapy student to working in private practice has been identified as challenging. However, very little is known about whether structured professional development programs impact on this transition. OBJECTIVES: To describe new graduates' perceptions of a structured professional development program, termed the Recent Graduate Program (RGP), designed to support their transition into physiotherapy private practice. DESIGN: Qualitative analysis of data from a one-year longitudinal mixed methods study. METHOD: A total of 72 interviews were conducted over a one-year period with 20 new graduates from 19 private practices within one publicly listed allied health organisation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted before commencing work and at three, nine and 12 months. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim prior to a conventional content analysis that aimed to acquire direct information from new graduates without imposing preconceived categories or theoretical perspectives. FINDINGS: New graduates reported that the RGP supported their growth as a practitioner and facilitated their learning, particularly when complemented by the experiential learning from client interactions. The RGP met their expectations with the formal education program and regular mentoring sessions highly valued. Informal support from peers and senior clinicians, while not part of the RGP, was also perceived to facilitate their growth and confidence as a physiotherapist. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the provision of a structured transition program by a private practice employer was perceived by new graduates to facilitate their learning, confidence and self-efficacy. The RGP provides a useful model by which other practices may support new graduates.
Subject(s)
Physical Therapists , Humans , Physical Therapists/education , Physical Therapy Modalities , Private Practice , Qualitative ResearchABSTRACT
RESUMEN: Este artículo analiza las aspiraciones y los proyectos educativos postsecundarios de jóvenes estudiantes chilenos, considerando el rol y la incidencia del soporte familiar en este proceso. Las aspiraciones de cursar estudios superiores es una realidad extendida entre los jóvenes, aunque es posible identificar racionalidades diversas asociadas a las opciones formativas y los itinerarios previstos para alcanzar estos objetivos. El entorno familiar juega un rol importante en la construcción del proyecto personal de los estudiantes, existiendo una alta valoración del soporte que estos brindan para el logro de las metas educacionales. Con todo, la experiencia varía en relación a las características de este apoyo para la toma de decisiones individuales, como también en las estrategias de presión o exigencias para el cumplimiento de obligaciones y objetivos en la educación superior, evidenciándose diferencias importantes de acuerdo al nivel socioeconómico de las familias.
RESUMO: Este artigo analisa as aspirações e os projetos educativos pós-ensino médio de jovens estudantes chilenos, considerando o papel e a incidência do suporte familiar nesse processo. O desejo de cursar o ensino superior é uma realidade presente entre os jovens, ainda que seja possível identificar diversas lógicas associadas às opções formativas e aos itinerários previstos para alcançar esse objetivo. O entorno familiar tem um papel importante na construção do projeto pessoal dos estudantes, havendo uma grande valorização do apoio existente para se conquistar as metas educacionais. Contudo, a experiência varia em relação às características de tal apoio para a tomada de decisões individuais, como também em relação às estratégias de pressão ou exigências para o cumprimento de obrigações e objetivos na educação superior, evidenciando-se, assim, diferenças importantes de acordo com o nível socioeconômico das famílias.
ABSTRACT: This article analyzes the aspirations and post -secondary educational projects of Chilean students, considering the role and impact of family support in this process. The aspirations of continuing higher education is a widespread reality among young people, although it is possible to identify various rationalities associated with education options and itineraries foreseen to achieve these objectives. The family environment plays an important role in building the personal project of students, demonstrating a high evaluation of family support for achieving educational goals. However, experience varies in relation to the characteristics of such support for individual decision and the pressure strategies or requirements for the achievement of obligations in higher education, showing significant differences according to socio-economic level of the families.
