Using expert patient interviews to enhance the undergraduate physiotherapy students learning experience

Using expert patient interviews to enhance the undergraduate physiotherapy students learning experience The psychosocial aspects of the patient experience are difficult to convey in the undergraduate physiotherapy curriculum delivery. The emphasis on teaching the body, structure and function can detract from the importance of the whole patient experience. The World Health Organisation’s drive for ‘Healthcare ‘to also consider activities and participation, including personal and environmental factors in service delivery, demands a holistic approach. A novel teaching approach was explored to facilitate students interviewing expert patients in small groups. The objective for the session was to facilitate students understanding of the psychological impact of a range of specified neurological conditions. Through this learning opportunity to be able to identify and recognise the psychological needs of individuals and to analyse ‘patient focussed working’ from expert patient experiences. This included increasing their awareness of different social backgrounds. Students attended for half a day and were able to interview 2-3 expert patients. The positive perspectives the contributors gave changed the student’s perceptions about neurological illnesses. A feedback plenary brought all the students together with the expert patients and the lecturers. Formal feedback was obtained by a short questionnaire with open questions and the University Quality Assurance online system. 82% of students strongly agreed that the content and delivery of the session had met their expectations. In fact many comments were asking for more time to be given to this type of learning experience. This learning opportunity enhanced the curriculum delivery and broadened the students understanding of the psychosocial issues and the psychological impact of neurological illness