A compulsory school in need of a physiotherapist - an interview study

ABSTRACT

Physical activity among schoolchildren is declining. Increased physical activity and motor training in school have shown good effects on health, learning and school performance. Physiotherapists can cooperate with school staff, but there are challenges in terms of environment and working methods. The study aim was to explore the attitude of compulsory school staff to physiotherapeutic competence in school and in student health care. Interviews were conducted with school staff and student health care team members. Data were analysed with qualitative content analysis. Based on categories and subcategories, a theme was identified as The physiotherapist as a piece of the student health care team puzzle. The staff were positive about the competence, gave suggestions on work areas, and could see advantages to including a physiotherapist on staff. More studies are needed in the field, especially regarding inclusion of physiotherapists in teams that work to promote health and prevent illness and injury.

KEYWORDS:

• Health promotion
• physiotherapy
• prevention
• professional groups
• school
• student health care

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the participants in this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).