DIGITAL LIBRARY
REALM-INDIVIDUAL PROCESS-SITUATION METHOD AS A LEARNING TOOL FOR PHYSIOTHERAPY STUDENTS
University of Valencia, Physiotherapy Department (SPAIN)
About this paper:
Appears in: EDULEARN16 Proceedings
Publication year: 2016
Pages: 5784-5788
ISBN: 978-84-608-8860-4
ISSN: 2340-1117
doi: 10.21125/edulearn.2016.0239
Conference name: 8th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies
Dates: 4-6 July, 2016
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Abstract:
Introduction:
Realm Individual-Process Situation (RIPS) is a learning methodology for ethical decission making in Health Sciences, created especially by physiotherapists in order to solve ethical problems of this profession.

Aim:
To present the strategy of use of RIPS Method regarding the study of Professional Ethics in Physiotherapy, in the subject Clinical Stays III.

Methods:
RIPS Method, abased on collaborative learning, was used to solve ethical clinical cases in Physiotherapy. The method we present aimed at association the learning of Professional Ethics with the development of clinical practices at hospitals. Students were divided in groups of 5 people and each group attended two group sessions, then RIPS Method was used. Two professors, who observed and registered in specific notebooks the participation of students and several criteria priory established, performed the evaluation of students during the group session.

Results:
This abstract presents the strategy of utilization of RIPS Method for the study of Professional Ethics. Firstly, a clinical case regarding Ethics was exposed in each session. Students had to apply the RIPS method in groups. Afterwards, a debate was performed, guided and moderated by the professor. Then, students applied the five solving phases included in RIPS Method, as follows:
1) Recognized and defined the ethical situation;
2) Reflexed about this situation;
3) Decided the most correct option;
4) Achieved the decision they considered as the most correct, evaluated and re-evaluated it;
5) Established an order between the ethical principles. Afterwards, a debate was performed, guided and moderated by the professor.

Thus, students improved their ethical when acting in difficult situations related to those they can face in their future work as physiotherapists.

Conclusions:
RIPS Methodology is a suitable option regarding the study of Professional Ethics in Clinical Stays III and we strongly recommend it for health-related university students. The use of this technique can promote interest between pupils and help to achieve learning objectives of Professional Ethics in Physiotherapy.

References:
[1] Gabard DL, Martin MW. (2003). Physical Therapy Ethics. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis.
[2] García López, R., Jover, G., Escámez, J. (2010). Ética profesional docente. Madrid: Síntesis.
[3] Gracia D. (2001) La deliberación moral: el método de la ética clínica. Med Clin. Barcelona. 117:18-23.
[4] Kirsch N. (2006). Ethical decisión making: Terminology and context. PT: The Magazine of Physical Therapy 14(2):38-40.
[5] Swisher, L., Arslanían, L., Davis, C. (2005). The Realm-lndividual Process-Situation (RIPS) Model of Ethical Decision-Making. HPA Resource,5 (3), 3-8.
[6] Sugarman J. (2000). Twenty Common Problems: Ethics in Primary Care. New York: McGraw -Hill.