Implementing, and evaluating an online international Minor in physiotherapy in acute care

Background: To meet the ongoing needs, physiotherapists should have competences to intervene in all conditions and contexts throughout the life cycle of their clients/patients. Educating physiotherapy students in the knowledge and skills required to operate in an acute care setting both expands and improves their entry level capabilities as well as preparing them to work with patients considering the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim: Alcoitão School of Health Sciences, Portugal and the Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, the Netherlands took the initiative to develop an International Minor Physiotherapy in Acute Care, to address the ongoing demand, using the opportunities given by the ERASMUS+, namely student and teachers mobility programs. Methods: The content was developed using the international descriptors of competences of the Physiotherapist in Acute Care. Pedagogical and assessment strategies were chosen to reflect the competencies to be achieved, with a strong focus on active learning. This Minor took place entirely online using asynchronous and synchronous strategies. Results: At the end of the Minor edition, students answered anonymous online questionnaire on the administrative and pedagogical aspects. The data revealed a very favourable opinion regarding the topics discussed (80% totally agree), pedagogical approaches used, such as online activities (90% agree / totally agree), teacher support (90% agree / totally agree). Students were satisfied with Minor's adaptation to the pandemic context, allowing them to obtain the necessary skills to work in this context. Conclusions/Implications for physiotherapy: Based on the positive responses from the students, we consider the implementation to be successful. The next steps are to integrate hybrid learning methodologies and broaden the participation of students and professors from other international institutions. Promoting skills and knowledge needed to work in acute care meets the growing need for professionals capable of working in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.N/