IFOMPT's Educational Standards and International Monitoring: A member survey and review.

Abstract

Background: The International Federation of Manual and Musculoskeletal Physical Therapists (IFOMPT) membership requires accreditation of countries postgraduate musculoskeletal physiotherapy programmes to meet IFOMPT's Educational Standards through International Monitoring. The Educational Standards and International Monitoring are both being reviewed.

Objectives: To seek insight and feedback from IFOMPT's membership on the Educational Standards and International Monitoring to inform the current review.

Design: Online survey of registered members, external assessors, programme leaders, international delegates.

Method: IFOMPT members were invited to participate in the Educational Standards and International Monitoring survey, between December 2023-January 2024. Content validity was assessed to refine the survey. The survey was offered in 14 languages. Descriptive and inferential analyses were used for closed questions; content analysis was used for open questions.

Results: 869 participants were eligible and completed the survey. IFOMPT's membership clearly valued both the Educational Standards and International Monitoring, and believe they are contemporary and evidence-informed. However, opinion was divided regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the Educational Standards and International Monitoring and whether the Educational Standards represented a minimum or maximum standard. Constructive recommendations were provided for the improvement of the Educational Standards and International Monitoring, including reduction of size and complexity, with increased flexibility to ensure they are fit for purpose into the future and serve towards the growth of IFOMPT.

Conclusions: This was the largest member-wide survey of IFOMPT examining the Educational Standards and International Monitoring. The findings of the survey are extremely valuable to inform the current review of the Educational Standards and International Monitoring, particularly given the divided opinion concerning the useability and content of the Educational Standards.