A Faculty’s Experience in Changing Instructional Methods in a Professional Physical Therapist Education Program

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In response to the demands of a changing practice environment, many physical therapist educators have incorporated problem-based learning methods into their teaching. The purpose of this study was to describe a physical therapist program faculty's experience in transitioning from traditional instruction to problem-based instructional methods. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Face-to-face, semistructured interviews followed by a focus group were conducted with 7 faculty members, guided by questions about factors that influenced instructors' experience of changing instructional methods. RESULTS: Nine themes described the faculty's experience: perception of need for teaching change, personal knowledge of problem-based learning, decision-making process, peer support, partial adoption, values related to teaching and learning, significant response from the community, administrative support, and perceived barriers to incorporation of problem-based methods. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The findings are consistent with literature describing change: change is a process, the process of change must accommodate individual change, a network of peer support is necessary, and the change process requires leadership and support from administrators within and outside of the group.