Level of satisfaction with physiotherapy education in Turkey

Abstract

Purpose: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the physiotherapy undergraduate education programs in Turkey by the final year students and the lecturers. Other purposes were to compare the satisfaction levels of final year students and lecturers and to determine final year students' level of satisfaction with the lecturers.

Methods: In this study, 348 final year students (mean age: 22.86 +/- 1.56 years) and 69 lecturers (mean age: 37.38 +/- 2.86 years) from the programs of five universities were included. Two questionnaires were used to determine participants' views on the educational services for their programs. Questionnaire-1 (18 statements) consisted of statements reflecting the students' and lecturers' opinions about the physical environment, educational program content, and physiotherapy education. Questionnaire-2 (20 items) was the measure that students evaluate their lecturers.

Results: According to the results of Questionnaire-1, the level of satisfaction of students and lecturers was highest in the categories of the content of the training program, efficiency of traineeship and general satisfaction. It was lowest in the categories of physical environment, tools-equipment and exam. According to the results of Questionnaire-2, the level of satisfaction of students was lowest in the categories of communication, exams, and grading. It was highest in lecturers' professional knowledge, course preparation, and lecturing skills.

Conclusion: The results indicated that feedback from the final year students and teaching staff should be considered to improve the quality of physiotherapy education in Turkey.