Physiotherapists' stories about professional development

Abstract

Introduction: A professional career may extend over a period of 40 years. Although learning is a feature of professional competence, little is known about learning and development after professional entry education. Methods: Narrative inquiry was used to understand how physiotherapists learned and developed over time, and stories from a purposeful sample of 12 physiotherapists were collected. Stories were thematically analyzed with regard to key elements related to learning and development, and common themes were identified across stories. Findings: Four themes emerged from the analysis where physiotherapists learned and developed in working life: (1) facing challenges; (2) contrasting perspectives; (3) drawing on hundreds of educators; and (4) building on personal experience. Conclusion: Non-formal ways of learning in working life may help physiotherapists learn and develop confidence, communication strategies and different approaches to treatment. Besides reflection on personal experience and patient encounters, learning and development may be promoted and supported by taking on challenges and changing settings.

• Learning
• narrative inquiry
• physiotherapy
• professional development

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their gratitude to the respondents who were involved in this research, for taking time to talk to us and for so generously sharing their stories so that others can learn. We are also deeply indebted to Ingrid Lindquist, PT, PhD, for patiently helping us untangle our many thoughts and to Birgit Rösblad, PT, PhD, for moral support.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no declaration of interests.