INTEGRATING HUMANISTIC PEDAGOGY IN PHYSIOTHERAPY EDUCATION FOR HOLISTIC AND PATIENT-CENTERED REHABILITATION

Abstract

Historically, physiotherapy programs have been focused primarily on the biomedical aspect of patient care with an emphasis on evidence-based clinical practice and technical skill development. As the demand for a holistic model of care increases, it is imperative that physiotherapists understand their patients as having unique psychosocial, emotional and cultural needs. A humanistic pedagogical approach, based upon foundations of empathy, self-reflection, autonomy of the learner, and personal growth, can be used to re-create physiotherapy education to reflect a patient-centered model of rehabilitation. Humanistic strategies of teaching will assist future physiotherapists to develop clinical expertise, communication skills, ethical responsibilities, and to provide compassionate care within their clinical practice. This chapter will discuss the relevance of humanistic pedagogy to physiotherapy education, the relevance of humanistic pedagogy in promoting holistic rehabilitation and provide discussion of the theoretical foundations, key principles and educational techniques such as reflective learning, experiential education and patient narratives. Incorporating humanistic pedagogy in physiotherapy education will lead to improved professional competence, the development of empathetic clinical practice, and ultimately improve patient satisfaction and rehabilitation outcomes.