Article

PURPOSE: To determine whether contact over 8 weeks with a person with disability
benefits physiotherapy students' attitudes toward disability and their
development of professional behaviours and skills.
METHODS: Sixteen adults with
Down syndrome were matched with 16 physiotherapy students (13 women, 3 men; mean
age 22.5 [SD 3.0] years) and randomized to either an 8-week, twice-weekly walking
programme or an 8-week, once-weekly social activities programme. Students
completed the Interaction with Disabled Persons scale, the Community Living
Attitudes scale, and the Barriers to Exercise scale and rated their competency in
professional behaviours and skills. RESULTS: There were no differences between
the groups for any outcome. Across both groups, students showed positive changes
in attitudes toward disability, self-ratings of professional behaviours, and
confidence in working with people with disability. CONCLUSIONS: After an 8-week
programme, physiotherapy students reported being more comfortable with and having
more confidence in working with people with disability. These data support the
idea that contact with people with disability in community settings has positive
benefits for physiotherapy students, regardless of the content of the experience.

Langue : ANGLAIS