High consciousness—low application: sustainable development and sustainable healthcare in undergraduate physiotherapy education in Sweden
2024

Sustainable Development in Physiotherapy Education in Sweden

Sample size: 72 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Emma Swärdh, Nina Brodin, Annie Palstam, Anna Pettersson

Primary Institution: Karolinska Institutet

Hypothesis

What is the consciousness and application of sustainable development among Swedish physiotherapy educators?

Conclusion

There is a disconnect between the high consciousness of sustainable development and its low application in teaching among Swedish physiotherapy educators.

Supporting Evidence

  • 76% of educators were aware of Agenda 2030 and the sustainable development goals.
  • Only 17% included sustainable development in their teaching activities.
  • 81% agreed they had content knowledge on climate and health.

Takeaway

Most physiotherapy teachers in Sweden know about sustainability, but they don't teach it much in their classes.

Methodology

A cross-sectional, descriptive study using a digital survey to collect data from educators at five higher education institutions.

Potential Biases

Potential selection bias as the study may have attracted educators already interested in sustainability.

Limitations

The study relied on self-reported data, which may introduce bias, and the exact number of educators invited to participate was unclear.

Participant Demographics

76% female, ages ranged from 20 to 80, with most being physiotherapists and employed at universities.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.002

Statistical Significance

p<0.002

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3389/fpubh.2024.1509997

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