Integrating environmental physiotherapy into New Zealand undergraduate education: exploring current practice
2024

Integrating Environmental Physiotherapy into New Zealand Education

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Olivia M. L. Stone, Katrina Bryant, Leigh Hale

Primary Institution: University of Otago

Hypothesis

How can environmental physiotherapy be effectively integrated into the undergraduate physiotherapy curriculum in New Zealand?

Conclusion

The integration of environmental physiotherapy into the curriculum has been positively received by students and aligns with sustainability goals.

Supporting Evidence

  • Positive student evaluations indicate that the integrated curriculum is enjoyable.
  • The curriculum has been fully accredited by the New Zealand Registration Board.
  • Three specific learning activities were developed to incorporate environmental physiotherapy.

Takeaway

This study shows how teaching about the environment can help future physiotherapists take better care of people's health and the planet.

Methodology

The study describes three learning activities implemented in the physiotherapy curriculum to integrate environmental physiotherapy.

Limitations

The curriculum modifications due to the COVID-19 pandemic hindered a full formal evaluation of the integrated curriculum.

Participant Demographics

Students from the Bachelor of Physiotherapy program at the University of Otago.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3389/fpubh.2024.1506697

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