Abstract:

Background:
The profile of the graduate in Physiotherapy aims at enabling subjects with a scientific mind to apply research results in their usual clinical practice. So that, a permanent attitude towards searching new knowledge, is hold. However, undergraduates complain about lack of scientific preparation. Though training researchers is out of the scope of undergraduate education, lecturers are in charge of making students aware of the importance of research. Therefore, a teaching and learning activity designed to bring them closer to research work is found to be interesting.

Aim:
To investigate the students´ satisfaction regarding a research-oriented teaching activity in the degree of Physiotherapy of the University of Valencia.

Methods:
A survey type study was carried out. A simulation of an experimental phase of a randomised single-blind controlled trial was performed in small-group practical lessons. According to the role during the class, 151 students (58.3% women) were randomly divided in three groups: physiotherapists, patients and assessors (47, 49 and 55, respectively).To study their satisfaction, a 25-item questionnaire was developed. Each item was scored over a 5-level Likert scale. General satisfaction was also investigated. A descriptive study of the questionnaire was carried out. Differences among groups were analysed by non-parametric tests.

Results:
In general, satisfaction was highly scored (8.07 ± 1.06 over 10). Each part of the questionnaire was also highly rated (mean value of 4.26 ± 0.64 for contents of the lesson and level of compliance; 4.49 ± 0.63 for teaching staff performance; 4.23 ± 0.57 for students’ performance; 4.13 ± 0.6 for lesson usefulness). The items with the lowest scores were related to adequacy of the length of the lesson (3.91 ± 0.98); to understanding the importance of all studied subjects in the Degree (3.91 ± 0.87); and to understanding the continuity of the different subjects contents (3.9 ± 0.82). No statistical differences were found among groups in any of the studied variables.

Conclusions:
Given the high rates of students´ satisfaction with this experience, exposing undergraduate students to a small-scale research activity could introduce them to research insights, methods and values. Experiencing how to do research at this level might lead them to consider doing research themselves in the future. In addition, and as a learning method, this type of activity enhances active learning and collaborative team work.

References:
[1] ALDANA GM, JOYA NS. Actitudes hacia la investigación científica en docentes de metodología de la investigación. Tabula Rasa. 2011; 14:295-309.
[2] ARDILA R. Formación básica y actitud científica. La ciencia en la educación. Revista Educación y Cultura. 1989; 17:11-16.
[3] BONFILL X, GABRIEL R, CABELLO J. La medicina basada en la evidencia. Rev Esp Cardiol. 1997; 50:819-25.
[4] NOBIGROT-KIEINMAN D, NOBIGROT-STREIMBLEINSKY M, GALVÁN-HUERTA SE. Las actitudes hacia la investigación y el aprendizaje en estudiantes de medicina. Salud Publica Mex. 1995; 37:316-322.
[5] The Teaching-Research Nexus: A guide for academics and policy-makers in higher education. 2008 [Access in: http://trnexus.edu.au/]

Keywords:

Students´ Satisfaction, Teaching Activity, Physiotherapy.