Differences in Perception and Needs for Continuing Education according to the Career of Physiotherapists

Purpose : The purpose of this paper is to review the continuing education (CE) for physiotherapists and especially to draw attention to the perception and need of the education so that the present study aimed to provide information for improving the education program. Methods : The study obtained information from CE of the Korea Physical Therapy Association held in Gwangju on April 12 and July 19, 2015 to understand the perception and needs of CE. Present study showed that 431 out of 563 people who answered to the survey, with a 76.5 % response rate. Among them, 350 people were selected for the final analysis, except for questionnaires whose responses were insufficient. Among them, the level of perception of CE was 238, excluding 112 people who did not receive an education in 2014. Results : The perception of CE according to experience showed a weak positive correlation in questions 1 (r=.244), 5 (r=.244) and 10 (r=1.129) (p<.05). There was no significant correlation in questions 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 11 (p>.05). The needs of CE according to experience showed weak negative correlations in musculoskeletal system (r=-.141), nervous system (r=-.136), geriatric (r=-.117), oriental physical therapy (r=-.130), and other new technologies (r=-.232) (p<.05). Basic education, pediatric, cardiopulmonary system, sports, physical agents, and women's fields were not significantly correlated (p>.05). Conclusion : There was little or no significant correlation between perception and needs for the CE based on physical therapists' experiences. Current research suggests that for a CE for physical therapists, the perception of education should first be renovated, and then the quality of education should also be improved based on the need of them.