Clinical educators' perspectives on physical activity and exercise prescription in clinical education for physiotherapy: A qualitative study.

Background: Physical activity (PA) promotion and exercise prescription (EP) are crucial core competencies in addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. However, the extent to which these competencies are taught and implemented in clinical education for physiotherapy remains unclear...

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Publicado en:South African Journal of Physiotherapy Vol. 82; no. 1; pp. 1 - 11
Autores principales: Gamiet, Shamila, Karachi, Farhana, Phillips, Joliana, Frantz, José
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: African Online Scientific Information System PTY LTD 2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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        atl: Clinical educators' perspectives on physical activity and exercise prescription in clinical education for physiotherapy: A qualitative study.
      aug:
        au:
          Gamiet, Shamila
          Karachi, Farhana
          Phillips, Joliana
          Frantz, José
        affil: Interprofessional Education Unit, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
      sug:
        subj:
          Physical Activity Education
          Exercise Education
          Prescriptions, Non-Drug Education
          Attitude of Health Personnel Evaluation
          Education, Clinical
          Education, Physical Therapy South Africa
          Human
          Funding Source
          South Africa
          Student Supervision
          Students, Physical Therapy
          Students, Undergraduate
          Purposive Sample
          Nonprobability Sample
          Male
          Female
          Focus Groups
          Qualitative Studies
          Exploratory Research
          Descriptive Research
          Semi-Structured Interview
          Interview Guides
          Thematic Analysis
          Health Promotion
          Noncommunicable Diseases Prevention and Control
          Male
          Female
      ab: Background: Physical activity (PA) promotion and exercise prescription (EP) are crucial core competencies in addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. However, the extent to which these competencies are taught and implemented in clinical education for physiotherapy remains unclear within the South African context. Objectives: To explore clinical educators' perceptions regarding PA and EP in clinical education for physiotherapy at a local university in the Western Cape, South Africa. Method: A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was employed. Eleven clinical educators participated in two focus group discussions. Results: Participants had an average of 15 years of clinical experience. More women (73%, n = 8/11) participated. Thematic analysis revealed three principal themes: (1) Professional identity and patient empowerment, (2) knowledge translation challenges: bridging theory and practice and (3) time and resource constraints – identifying practical constraints that impact teaching and implementation. Participants expressed their profession's responsibility in promoting PA and prescribing exercises across all clinical settings. They identified challenges in clinical practice, knowledge translation gaps and the need for strengthened professional development. Conclusion: The complex interplay between educational theory, clinical practice constraints and the evolving role of physiotherapists in public health are highlighted. A multi-faceted approach that considers educational reform and healthcare system constraints, while maintaining a focus on improving patient outcomes through promoting PA and exercise, is recommended. Clinical implications: Emphasis on preparing physiotherapy students to effectively educate and empower patients for independent health management is recommended and could impact population health outcomes in resource-limited settings in which the ongoing professional supervision of exercise programmes is often not feasible.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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