Analysis of gender content in the curricula of an elective subject of the physiotherapy degree: Modified Delphi study

Abstract

Introduction: The institutions that certify the quality of education in Catalonia indicate that the degrees must incorporate the gender perspective (GP) for their accreditation, this affects the curriculum, competencies/learning outcomes, contents, etc. Physiotherapy, graduates must be competent in gender to incorporate GP into health care, but the curricula do not integrate these contents. The purpose of the study was to reach a consensus on the content of the teaching guide for the elective Physiotherapy with a Gender Perspective. Methods: A modified Delphi was implemented considering two rounds. Round 1 involved a previously designed instrument of 53 items to evaluate contents, competencies, teaching strategies and evaluation that must contain an elective subject on gender perspective in physiotherapy, it was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Round 2 explored expert panel views through focus group using thematic analysis. Results: Eleven teachers and researchers from the health sciences and education participated in rounds 1 and 2. The first-round analysis indicates consensus on 26 of the 36 quantitative items proposed in the questionnaire, of which 13 of the 15 qualitative items (competencies) were maintained. The second round largely confirmed the results of the quantitative phase of the study. Conclusion: The panel Delphi provided a validation of the essential contents, teaching methods and assessment of the subject reviewed, considering the knowledge of the gender perspective as a prerequisite for the practice of physiotherapy and the importance of integrating it in a transversal way.