Curriculum for paediatric physiotherapy professional entry-level education: An international delphi survey of expert physiotherapists

Aim:<br/>To achieve international consensus regarding critical paediatric content, delivery modes and assessment for professional entry-level physiotherapy programs.<br/><br/>Design:<br/>4-round Delphi survey.<br/><br/>Method:<br/>Forty-eight international paediatric physiotherapist experts participated to reach consensus via Qualtrics®. Consensus was defined a-priori as mean ≥4 (5-point Likert scale) or ≥70% agreement (agree/strongly agree OR disagree/strongly disagree). Rounds-1/2 identified Curriculum Content Areas (CCA). Rounds-2/3, expert panellists identified best modes of delivery and assessment. Round-4 offered barriers and facilitators to implementing curriculum content areas. Number of consensus items (n) are reported descriptively.<br/><br/>Results:<br/>CCA consensus was achieved for: Typical Development (n=11 items); Atypical Development (Cardiorespiratory (n=6); Musculoskeletal (n=11), Neurological (n=13), Other (n=6)); Age-appropriate Examination Techniques (n=33), Outcome Measures (n=9); Diagnostic Scales and Classification Systems (n=3); Intervention Techniques (n=16); Family-Centred Care (n=6); Culturally-competent Care (n=6); Age- and Ability-Appropriate Care (n=2); Typical Development: Language and Communication (n=2); Atypical Cognitive and Social-emotional Development (n=4); Laws and Regulations (n=5); Health Promotion, Wellness, Fitness, and Injury Prevention for Children (n=7); Inter-professional Practice and Delegation (n=4). Consensus was achieved for modes of delivery (n=8) and assessment (n=3).<br/><br/>Conclusion:<br/>International consensus regarding critical paediatric curriculum content and, modes of delivery and assessment have been reached and should guide future paediatric physiotherapy curriculum development and review globally.<br/><br/>Key practice points:<br/>• Large variability exists in paediatric curriculum in physiotherapy entry-level programs internationally.<br/>• Not all graduates of entry-level programs are trained to safely and effectively manage infants, children and adolescents.<br/>• CCA consensus items provide guidance for curriculum development in physiotherapy entry-level programs internationally.