Good Practice in Australian Physiotherapy Education

Final year students in the School of Physiotherapy at Curtin University of Technology spend most of their year in clinical placements and are required to demonstrate that they meet the Australian professional competencies. Students receive both formative and summative feedback throughout the placement. Students who do not meet the competencies fail. A handful of students may meet most of the competencies, but have areas of weakness (usually in generic attributes) which are likely to impact on their performance in subsequent placements.
An Additional Development Form is completed by the Clinical educators for these students who then meet with the Clinical Program Coordinator to discuss the issues impacting on their performance. A management plan is designed to support their development of deficient competencies. Support may range from accessing specific counseling by the University services, provision of additional teaching support, strategies to overcome learning difficulties, accessing appropriate mentoring, reviewing lifestyle factors or identifying cross-cultural barriers to communication and performance.
 
A detailed plan of action outlining the issues, strategies used and additional suggestions to support learning are provided for both the student and the supervisors in the student's next clinical placement. Discussions with all parties ensure that students and supervisors are working together to assist the student to develop the required professional behaviours and competencies. Additional monitoring of student performance and supervisor support occurs during subsequent placements to ensure both parties' needs are met.
Provision of support facilitates students who are expected to take responsibility for their personal and professional development, and ensures that these students receive the appropriate assistance to achieve successful completion of the program.