Original Research
Are physiotherapy graduates adequately prepared to to manage hiv/aids patients
Submitted: 12 January 2004 | Published: 12 January 2004
About the author(s)
T. Puckree, Associate Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Durban Westville, South AfricaB. J. Chetty, University of Durban Westville, South Africa
V. Govender, University of Durban Westville, South Africa
S. Ramparsad, University of Durban Westville, South Africa
J. Lin, Department of Microbiology, University of Durban Westville, South Africa
Full Text:
PDF (27KB)Abstract
Physiotherapy learners treat patients with Human Immuno-deficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS). There is no available published research on physiotherapy learners' opinions about how the South Afican physiotherapy undergraduate program is helping them cope with HIV/AIDS patients. This study determines whether the physiotherapy degree offered at South African Universities, adequately prepares learners to cope with HIV/AIDS patients. Differences in knowledge and attitudes of physiotherapy learners regarding HIV/AIDS, amongst universities is also explored. Two hundred and two senior physiotherapy learners from eight South African universities returned their questionnaires and 55% of these were viable for analysis. A large portion (79%) of learners indicated that the physiotherapy undergraduate degree did not adequately prepare them to cope with HIV/AIDS patients. Learners' knowledge and attitudes regarding HIV/AIDS differed significantly (41% to 73%) amongst universities. Formal lectures on HIV/AIDS significantly affected knowledge (0% -100%) but not attitude towards patients. The role of the physiotherapist, precautions, transmission modes, syndrome stages, counseling and clinical skills were considered critical in the management of HIV/AIDS patients.
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Crossref Citations
1. Knowledge, attitude, and willingness of Nigerian physiotherapy students to provide care for patients living with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
Adetoyeje Oyeyemi, Victor Utti, Luqman Oyeyemi, Teslim Onigbinde
Physiotherapy Theory and Practice vol: 23 issue: 5 first page: 281 year: 2007
doi: 10.1080/09593980701209436