Comparison of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Students' Attitudes towards People with Disabilities

Abstract

Summary Background The potential impact of healthcare professionals' negative attitudes towards disabled individuals has been identified as a barrier to successful rehabilitation and reintegration into society. This cross-sectional study examined the attitudes towards disabled people of physiotherapy and occupational therapy students at the beginning and end of their respective programmes of study. Method Repeat measurements of students' attitudes were taken at the beginning and end of their professional education using the Interaction with Disabled Persons scale. Students undertaking a bachelor of education degree acted as a control group. Findings Significant differences in attitudes towards disabled people were found between first-year students on the various courses at the beginning but not at the end of their respective programmes. Physiotherapists at the beginning of their programme showed the most negative attitudes although they became more positive towards the end of their studies. Occupational therapy students had the most positive attitudes at the start and finish of their courses. The more contact students had with disabled people, the more positive their attitude. Conclusion This research highlights an area of concern for the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Further investigation is needed to discover whether the findings of this study are representative of physiotherapy students throughout the United Kingdom, and if so to find out why people with these attitudes choose physiotherapy as a career.