Practical activities on physiotherapy degree courses in Brazil and Portugal through the lens of teachers and course coordinators

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate practical activities on physiotherapy degree courses in Brazil and Portugal. We carried out an integrated (physiotherapy courses) multiple case (Brazil and Portugal) study with eight course coordinators/directors (four in each country) and 12 professors (six in each country). We conducted semi-structured interviews with the coordinators/directors and focus group meetings with the professors, the results of which were analyzed using thematic content analysis. The results point to different training scenarios with practices encompassing all three levels of health care. In both countries the findings reveal the increasing complexity of practices, focusing mainly on secondary and tertiary care and rehabilitation. The elucidation of these practices can therefore help promote the internationalization of degree courses in these two Portuguese-speaking countries.

Higher education; Professional health training; International health