Is there room for physiotherapy in the Malaysian school system?

Abstract

This study investigated the curriculum changes in secondary school system in Malaysia. Thirty experts in physiotherapy were identified through purposive sampling. The Delphi technique was used to build items for the questionnaire which intended to answer the research questions of the study. Findings revealed the fields of physiotherapy expected to provide career opportunities in future as agreed by the panel of experts. To ensure students are prepared to embark on the field of physiotherapy, they believed that subjects such as English language, Biology, Science, Physics, Human Movement, and Biomedical Science need to be introduced and emphasized in the secondary school curriculum. Three teaching approaches, via demonstrations, practical, and clinical practice, are deemed suitable to teach physiotherapy in secondary schools while assessment should focus on both theory and practical components. Further, the panel of experts also stressed that a specific kind of facilities are required at schools which included lecture rooms, laboratories, hydrotherapy pools, gymnasium, treatment rooms, and assessment rooms. The findings show that there is a need for the Ministry of Education (MOE) in general, and the Curriculum Development Centre (CDC) in particular, to relook at the existing secondary school curriculum and make the necessary revision should physiotherapy be introduced in the Malaysian secondary school system.