WHICH PROFESSIONAL VALUES DO PHYSIOTHERAPY STUDENTS CONSIDER MORE IMPORTANT FOR THE PROFESSION?

Introduction:
Values ​​are beliefs that originate behaviors and constitute a basis for decision-making. Personal values ​​are developed through the influence of the family, culture, society, the environment, religious beliefs and ethnic origin. The acquisition and the internalization of professional values ​​is necessary for the professional development and is important for the promotion of the assistance quality, the increase of the understanding of the patient and the increase of the work satisfaction. Professional values also help to the process of professional socialization, where an individual develops knowledge, abilities, behaviors and attitudes typical of the profession in particular. During clinical practice, physiotherapists expand and integrate knowledge about values ​​that lead them to the creation of professional identity and to reflect about how the human or own values ​​that already possess, align and shape professional values. It is, therefore, necessary to identify the professional values ​​that are essential for physiotherapy students and to analyze the degree of importance assigned to them, in order to be able to transmit them and assimilate them more consciously within the university curricula. Professional values should be shared by all physiotherapists and guide clinical decisions.

Purpose:
To analyze the professional values considered essential by Physiotherapy students.

Methods: In order to identify the most important professional values for Physiotherapy students, a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at the University of Valencia during the 2017-2018 course with a sample of 69 students of 3rd and 4th course. All participants signed the informed consent. The inclusion criteria were: to be a degree student in Physiotherapy of 3rd or 4th year at the University of Valencia, and under 40 years of age. The Questionnaire on the Axiological Estimation of Professional Values, was administrated.

Results:
37 women and 32 men between 20-38 years, filled out the questionnaire. The results show that the professional values considered essential by Physiotherapy students were Benevolence, Equity and non-discrimination, Prudence, Respect for life and Respect for autonomy of users. However, it is noteworthy that health professions values such as Altruism, Diligence, Empathy and Compassion were not considered compulsory. Scientific quality and Scientific Knowledge were not considered compulsory either.

Conclusions:
The professional values considered as essential by the Physiotherapy students are "Benevolence", "Equity and non-discrimination", "Prudence", "Respect for life" and "Respect for autonomy of users." Physiotherapy curricula should contemplate pedagogical strategies that make students understand the importance of other important health professional values such as Altruism, Diligence, Empathy and Compassion.