Content analysis of current role/job descriptors for Band 5/junior physiotherapists and mapping of these to Physiotherapy Professional standards of practice

Background

KNOWBEST was a mixed methods study exploring the KNOWledge, BEhaviours and Skills required of the modern physioTherapy graduate.

Objectives

To undertake a content analysis of current role descriptors (RDs) for Band5/junior physiotherapists and map these to the knowledge, skills, behaviours and attributes required for contemporary physiotherapy practice.

Design

Content analyses and mapping.

Setting

All health care settings:

Participants

Available RDs for newly qualified/Band 5 physiotherapists across a representative range of roles and settings for this stage of a physiotherapist’s career across the UK and all health care settings.

Methods

Job descriptors were obtained using three approaches 1) via direct upload to the study website, 2) on-line searches of job vacancies, 3) directly emailing managers to fill any gaps in representativeness. Data regarding knowledge, skills, behaviours and attributes were extracted, coded (BC) and checked (CML).

Data analyses

Documentary content analyses and mapping of these to Professional Standards of practice.

Results

19 RDs were analysed. High expectations of behaviours and attributes, and extensive pre-requisite knowledge and skills were identified and detailed. Considerable variability was seen across RDs, at least seven being suited to more highly specialist and/or experienced staff. Equality, diversity and inclusivity concerns were evidenced. Active research was not included in many RDs and not mentioned in any standards. Digital learning and skills were not strongly evidenced.

Conclusions

A review of Band 5/Junior post and RD requirements is recommended including a standard template developed to promote equity. Professional standards emphasise some pillars of practice, such as clinical, more than others.

Contribution of the Paper

• •
  Role descriptors for band 5/junior/recently qualified physiotherapists demonstrated wide heterogeneity in knowledge, skills, attributes and behaviours.
• •
  Analysis of RDs revealed high expectations of behaviours and attributes, and extensive pre-requisite knowledge and skills in qualified physiotherapists.
• •
  A review of Band 5 post and role descriptor requirements is recommended and a standard template developed and designed to promote equity.
• •
  Findings indicate that some areas of physiotherapy practice are featured less strongly in professional standards of practice than others. It is evident that some of the pillars of advanced practice, such as clinical practice, are weighted more heavily than others.