The informed study project: An innovative online self evaluation of fitness to practise within a professional higher education degree programme

ABSTRACT

Pre-entry information and transitional support are identified as key factors promoting student success and retention, encouraging a pro-active approach to entry into Higher Education. Furthermore the Equality Act, in terms of anticipatory duty, emphasises this. However, some student groups studying for professional degrees, such as physiotherapy, need additional information in terms of responsibilities related with fitness to practise. These drivers initiated the development of the Informed Study Project (ISP), a bespoke on-line self-evaluation of fitness to practise. The ISP has successfully been embedded into the admissions process for BSc (Hons) physiotherapy students for 7 years. Evaluation using a Bristol Online Survey for the most recent cohort (respondents = 34) showed that 100% of students felt that the material was well presented and useful; 79% stated it positively affected the likelihood of them choosing to study physiotherapy at Cardiff University; 100% stated that they felt excited about studying at Cardiff.

KEYWORDS:

• Fitness to practise
• attrition
• transition
• physiotherapy
• higher education
• anticipatory duty

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Bristol Online Survey for the Informed Study Project

1. Does the Informed Study Project provide useful information regarding the BSc (Hons) physiotherapy programme?

Yes:

No:

Unsure:

2. Is it clear what you need to do next regarding the Informed Study Project?

Yes:

No:

Unsure:

3. Are the Informed Study Project web pages well presented?

Yes:

No:

4. Has the Informed Study Project positively affected the likelihood of you choosing to study physiotherapy at Cardiff University?

Yes:

No:

Unsure:

5. And finally…are you excited about the prospect of potentially studying physiotherapy at Cardiff University?

Yes:

No:

Unsure:

6. If you have any comments or suggestions in relation to the Informed Study Project we’d love to receive them:

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sue Annetts

Sue Annetts is a Director and Senior Lecturer within the School of Healthcare Sciences (Cardiff University) who teaches on the BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy programme and also the MSc Physiotherapy Programme. Sue has previously published and presented on a range of topics related to learning and teaching including peer review of teaching, audiofeedback, double marking and students’ understanding of marking criteria. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-annetts-131514a5/

Richard Day

Richard Day is a Lecturer within the Centre of Medical Education, School of Medicine and the School of Healthcare Sciences (Cardiff University). Richard teaches on The MSc Pain Management programme, MSc Physiotherapy programme and the BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy programme. He has co-authored two texts related to musculoskeletal assessment, and presented on a range of topics linked to pain and education. He has experience in specific roles within Higher Education such as Senior Admissions Tutor and Programme Manager.