Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine perceptions among Section on Women's Health members on mentoring entry-level physical therapy (PT) students in women's health PT practice during clinical internships.
Study Design: Prospective cross-sectional survey.
Background: Inconsistencies exist within PT schools in regard to women's health education, which present a challenge for students wishing to complete a women's health clinical rotation. If students are not exposed to women's health education, it is unlikely that they will pursue this area of practice.
Methods and Measures: A survey was created and validated by a panel of women's health experts familiar with PT education. A link to the survey was sent to all Section on Women's Health members (n = 2179). The 2-section survey contained questions regarding demographic information and thoughts on entry-level women's health education and questions addressing issues and strategies to enhance clinical education.
Results: A diverse mix of women's health PTs (n = 381) completed the survey for a return rate of 17.5%. A majority (82%) of respondents felt that it was very important or important for PT programs to include pelvic floor issues in entry-level curriculum, whereas 71.5% felt that clinical experience with pelvic floor issues should occur in an elective internship.
Conclusions: A majority of respondents felt that women's health issues are important to include in entry-level curriculum and should be a focal point throughout the curriculum or offered as an elective course. Greater disparity existed over the importance of entry-level students obtaining clinical experience in women's health. Barriers exist that create difficulties in mentoring entry-level students in women's health, with the biggest barrier being patients' acceptance of students.