Attitudes, Perception and Barriers towards Research in Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Undergraduate Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: A constantly growing knowledge base is the fundamental requirement for any profession to survive in the ever-changing demands of the healthcare community. Early exposure to research and related activities is quintessential to developing a knack for research. AIM: To determine the attitudes, perspectives and barriers to research in Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy in undergraduate students. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A survey-based study design was opted to carry out this research. An online survey was circulated among 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th year students and interns of various physiotherapy and occupational therapy colleges in India. A Likert type scale and percentage analysis was used to infer results. RESULT: A total of 145 responses were received where students from all the years participated equally. Although most students had a positive attitude towards research, they had not been involved in any research activity. The students found research relevant to their lives, however, they felt conducting research is a challenging undertaking. Despite their desire to do research and their belief that there is a demand for researchers in the allied health field, the students were unable to participate in research due to a variety of hurdles identified in the study. The challenges identified, from major to minor were universities prioritising education over research, a lack of enthusiasm for research, a lack of funding at universities, poor infrastructure, a lack of supervisors, insufficient training, and lastly a lack of interest and good proposals. CONCLUSION: The majority of students believed that research is valuable to their future careers. They had an optimistic outlook towards research. It identifies the major impediment, which is universities' lack of emphasis on research activity at the undergraduate level among other typical roadblocks must be overcome to ensure a desirable outcome.