posted on 2006-04-11, 12:09authored byJennifer Park, Crispin CoombsCrispin Coombs, Adrian Wilkinson, John Loan-Clarke, John Arnold, Diane Preston
Background and Purpose:
The NHS is currently experiencing a shortfall of staff in the allied health professions and in
particular, physiotherapy. This research project aimed to identify the key factors that
determine the attractiveness of physiotherapy as a career choice and the NHS as an employer
to potential recruits and returners.
Methods:
Interviews were conducted with school pupils, mature students on Access courses,
physiotherapy students, physiotherapy assistants, agency physiotherapists and independent
sector physiotherapists.
Findings:
Ninety-two individuals participated in the qualitative stage of the study. Physiotherapy as a
career choice was seen as attractive because of caring for patients, job availablity, variety in
work content and high levels of teamwork. However, these positive features were off set by
high levels of stress and workload, staff shortages and poor equipment.
Conclusions:
In order to improve the attractiveness of a physiotherapy career greater publicity of
consultant therapist positions, improved staffing levels, better working environments and
increased work flexibility are required. It should be noted that the relatively small number of
participants reduces the generalisibility of the results of this study.
History
School
Business and Economics
Department
Business
Pages
91311 bytes
Citation
PARK et al, 2003. The attractiveness of physiotherapy in the NHS as a career choice: a qualitative study. Physiotherapy, 89(10), pp. 575-583