Effect of Educational Intervention Program on Awareness, Knowledge, Attitude, and Willingness to Recommend Physiotherapy as a Career Among High School Science Teachers

Abstract

Introduction. Physical therapy (physiotherapy) is an essential part of the health care delivery system. High school students with an interest in science may be suited for a career in health care, including physical therapy. It is important therefore that their teachers have good knowledge and great willingness to recommend physical therapy as a potential career choice to them. Few studies have been carried out on the knowledge about physical therapy among different populations. The previous reports highlighted the need for educational interventions to increase the knowledge about physical therapy. However, no previous study has investigated the effectiveness of these educational interventions. Therefore, this study was aimed at evaluating the effect of an educational intervention in improving the level of knowledge, attitude, and willingness to recommend physical therapy as a potential career choice to students among high (secondary) school science teachers in Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. Review of Literature. Few studies have been carried out on the knowledge about physical therapy among different populations. There is need for educational interventions to increase the knowledge about physical therapy. No previous study has investigated the effectiveness of these educational interventions. Subjects. Consecutively recruited 99 science teachers from purposively selected high schools. Methods. This was a pretest–posttest quasi experimental study. Consecutively recruited 99 science teachers from purposively selected high schools participated in the study. Data were collected preintervention and postintervention using a self-developed instrument. Results. Only 20.2% of the participants had a good knowledge of physical therapy on pretest but the proportion with good knowledge increased to 96% after the intervention. Ninety-nine percent of the respondents also developed a positive attitude towards physical therapy and willingness to recommend physical therapy as a potential career choice to their students after the educational intervention. Discussion and Conclusion. Awareness of physical therapy among science teachers is poor. The effectiveness of the educational intervention program revealed a role for physical therapists who wish to enhance the awareness of counselors. Well-informed teachers and counselors may be equipped with the required knowledge to guide the career choice of their students.