Study of curriculum of doctor of physical therapy programme based on world federation of medical education standards

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the curriculum for Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programme based on World Federation of Medical Education (WFME) standards. Methods: A questionnaire was constructed based on WFME ‘Should’ and ‘Must’ standards. It was validated by five experts in two rounds. It is comprised of Items/ questions with Yes/No options. The questionnaire was filled by the DPT Faculty and final year students at Riphah International University, Islamabad from March 01, to April 30, 2017. Results: The key weakness identified were students participation in program management, evaluation, mission statement, program designing, curriculum committee, students activities and organization, and other matters relevant to students, followed by the use of external examiners, reliability and validity of assessment tools, scrutiny of assessments by external examiners and feedback to the students on assessment. The integration of behavioral and social sciences, readiness of graduates for postgraduate studies, institutional autonomy and academic freedom for curriculum development and designing, and opportunity for the participation of other stakeholders were identified as strengths. Conclusions: As per WFME standards the curriculum for DPT program needs improvements in student’s assessments and their participation in program management, evaluation, mission statement and designing, along with facilitation in student’s activities, organizations. Strengths of the curriculum were integration of behavioral and social sciences, readiness for postgraduate studies, institutional autonomy and academic freedom for the development and designing of curriculum, and the participation of other stakeholders.