Preparing Physiotherapy Students for Caseload Management in Clinical Practice Placements: Perspectives of Students and Clinical Educators

Background: Caseload management is a core component of physiotherapy practice and a required competency for professional registration. However, there is limited understanding of how it is navigated during clinical practice placements and to what extent current practices prepare students for new graduate practice. Aims: To investigate how clinical practice placements prepare physiotherapy students for caseload management, focusing on experiences and perceptions of students and clinical educators. Methods: A qualitative research design employing reflexive thematic analysis was utilised to analyse data gathered from six semi-structured focus groups comprising pre-registration physiotherapy students in clinical practice placements (n=19) and semi-structured one-on-one clinical educator interviews (n=19). Results: Four key themes were generated: 1. Variable interpretations of caseload management; 2. Navigating the complexities of caseload management; 3. Realising caseload management matters; and 4. Preparation prior to clinical practice placements is crucial. Conclusion: This study provides insights into caseload management opportunities during clinical practice placements, from clinical educator and student perspectives. Exposure to caseload management varies significantly, often contextual and opportunistic, shaped by educators' perception of individual student capabilities. Findings emphasise the need for physiotherapy training to ensure equitable learning and exposure to practice, fostering core competencies required for new graduates in caseload management.