Student Perceptions of a Pro Bono Service Learning Physical Therapy Experience in an International Setting
Purpose/Hypothesis: Across the United States, physical therapy students participate in pro bono services, both domestically and internationally. It is a way that students may foster personal and professional clinical skills while also gaining a global perspective. Though millennial learners are increasingly seeking out such opportunities, little is known about how such volunteer efforts contribute to their development, in what ways they are perceived to provide enrichment, and which aspects of their training these experiences have the potential to reinforce. The purpose of this study was to summarize student perceptions of one pro bono experience that occurred in an international setting and identify what value, if any, students placed on this opportunity.
Number of Subjects:24
Materials and Methods: Twenty-four participants consented and responded to the secure survey questionnaire. Participants were selected from a sample of Northern Arizona University Physical Therapy students who have participated in pro bono clinics held in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico. Researchers developed a survey and interview tool for student participants. Data were analyzed using qualitative research methodology in which responses to questions about participant experiences were reviewed for overarching themes.
Results: Five themes were emergent from the data: 1) Students associated skills utilized during the experience with curricular courses rather than physical therapy practice as a whole 2) having only one visit with each patient provided a significant challenge 3) clinical decision-making was challenged but fostered during the experience 4) communication and education were described as key components of international service and 5) students gained greater appreciation for international service and global health. Although students encountered challenges, they were able to overcome and learn from these by practicing and applying skills from didactic education.
Conclusions: Students were personally affected and gained greater appreciation for international volunteerism.
Clinical Relevance: The symbiotic impact of international service learning is an important reason to encourage future participation in such opportunities, as it furthers the physical therapy profession’s values of altruism, professional responsibility, and social responsibility on a global scale.