Attitudes toward the Physical Therapy Profession of Physical Therapy Students Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University

Abstract

The purpose of this descriptive research was to study the attitude of physical therapy students’ towards physical therapy profession. One hundred forty three physical therapy students from second year to fourth year in the academic year 2016 at Khon Kaen University were purposively selected and interrogated using a questionnaire. The Cronbach alpha was analyzed to assess the reliability of the questionnaire (0.875). Data were demonstrated as percentages, mean and standard deviations. The average score of attitudes toward physical therapy profession were then graded in four bands including very favorable (3.01-4.00), favorable (2.01-3.00), unfavorable (1.01-2.00), and very unfavorable (0.01-1.00). The students demonstrated very favorable level of professional expectations (3.66±0.52), interpersonal relationships among coworkers (3.46±0.63), patients and patients’ relatives, social value (3.29±0.75), and community physical therapy (3.26±0.78). The students’ attitude at favorable level was observed in physical therapy service (2.92±1.08).The results of this survey study may be considered as preliminary evidence in improving classroom management and developing physical therapy syllabus at Khon Kaen University.