Exploration of Physiotherapists’ Exploration of Physiotherapists’ Motivations to Embark upon Taught Motivations to Embark upon Taught Master's Level Study Master's Level Study Peter Glover MSc BSc (Hons) & Dr Cathy Bulley PhD BSc (Hons)
Mar 19, 2016
Exploration of Physiotherapists’ Exploration of Physiotherapists’ Motivations to Embark upon Taught Motivations to Embark upon Taught
Master's Level StudyMaster's Level Study
Peter Glover MSc BSc (Hons) & Dr Cathy Bulley PhD BSc (Hons)
Peter Glover MSc BSc(Hons)
BackgroundBackgroundLife-long learning & specialisation
Increased uptake of Master’s Programmes in UK (HEPI, 2004)
Lack of research
Peter Glover MSc BSc(Hons)
Study AimStudy Aim
To explore the personal perspectives of physiotherapists regarding their motivations for commencing Master’s level education
Peter Glover MSc BSc(Hons)
Philosophy & MethodPhilosophy & MethodQualitative Research
Relativist approachResearcher = data collection instrumentPhenomenology
MethodSemi-structured 1:1 Interviews
Peter Glover MSc BSc(Hons)
Sampling & ParticipantsSampling & ParticipantsNon-probability Purposive SampleBroad Inclusion CriteriaN=9, 1 male, 8 female Mean age 36 ± 7.3 (24 – 47 yrs)Mean years post qualifying 12 ± 7.3 (5 – 26)
Peter Glover MSc BSc(Hons)
Data AnalysisData AnalysisInterviews transcribed verbatimResearcher verificationMember checking of initial interpretationsInterpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA)
Peter Glover MSc BSc(Hons)
4 Motivational Themes4 Motivational Themes
Social Environment
Social Environment
Decision to CommenceMaster’s Study
Working Environment
Working Environment
Clinical Environment
Clinical Environment
Educational EnvironmentEducational Environment
Social Environment
Social Environment
Decision to CommenceMaster’s Study
Working Environment
Working Environment
Clinical Environment
Clinical Environment
Educational EnvironmentEducational Environment
Peter Glover MSc BSc(Hons)
Working Environment ThemeWorking Environment Theme
CultureCulture
Mone
tar y
Gai
n
Circ
umst
ance
s
Cred
ibili
ty
Peer
Pre
ssur
e
Colle
ague
s
Fund
ing
Prog
ress
Car
eer
Cred
ibili
ty
Broa
den
Opt
ions
CPD
P re s
sure
A4C
Place of EmploymentPlace of Employment Career PlansCareer Plans
Working Environment
Working Environment
CultureCulture
Mone
tar y
Gai
n
Circ
umst
ance
s
Cred
ibili
ty
Peer
Pre
ssur
e
Colle
ague
s
Fund
ing
Prog
ress
Car
eer
Cred
ibili
ty
Broa
den
Opt
ions
CPD
P re s
sure
A4C
Place of EmploymentPlace of Employment Career PlansCareer PlansCultureCulture
Mone
tar y
Gai
n
Circ
umst
ance
s
Cred
ibili
ty
Peer
Pre
ssur
e
Colle
ague
s
Fund
ing
Prog
ress
Car
eer
Cred
ibili
ty
Broa
den
Opt
ions
CPD
P re s
sure
A4C
Place of EmploymentPlace of Employment Career PlansCareer Plans
Working Environment
Working Environment
Peter Glover MSc BSc(Hons)
Culture of NHSCulture of NHSPolitical Pressure for development activity
Amy “I don’t know how Agenda for Change is going to impact … I just think it [Master's Study] will be looked favourably upon, with the emphasis these days on CPD and life long learning”
Amy “there has been a lot of talk in our department about members of staff undertaking research, … it terrified me and doing my Master’s would help me towards doing some type of research”
Peter Glover MSc BSc(Hons)
ColleaguesColleaguesInspiring Role ModelJim “some pretty good physiotherapists, in my opinion, who had done further study … so they were good role models to have. “
Peer SupportElizabeth “I had one colleague who started the Master’s module with me and she very much encouraged me to come along. So I think her influence helped me strongly in that respect”
Peter Glover MSc BSc(Hons)
CircumstancesCircumstancesChange in Professional CircumstancesLouise “When I got this job I realised that I needed more knowledge really just to be what I thought a Senior One should be … and just be a bit more helpful to the department in general”
Financial SupportJim “the Trust that I was working in were kind of more willing to pay some of the costs towards it [Master's Study] , Whereas, where I was before there was no chance of any funding at all … the Trust obviously funding it was a big factor.”
Peter Glover MSc BSc(Hons)
CareerCareerCareer ProgressionAlison “and there was basically no way I would get a Senior One [promotion] unless I was doing something else as well [formal study], because of the competition.”
Career ChangeJackie “I was thinking about going into education as a possible career move so I wanted my Master’s degree to secure me a job if you like. … and I wanted to be credible in that position …”
Peter Glover MSc BSc(Hons)
ConclusionsConclusionsThe motivations for embarking upon Master’s study are complex, individualised & varied
The Working Environment:Provided motivating factors to commence M-Level studyActed as an external motivator
Peter Glover MSc BSc(Hons)
Implications of FindingsImplications of FindingsPromote an educational culture within the practice setting
Develop the educational infrastructure to support Master’s study
Endorse peer support when starting Master’s study
Exploration of Physiotherapists’ Exploration of Physiotherapists’ Motivations to Embark upon Taught Motivations to Embark upon Taught
Master's Level StudyMaster's Level Study
Peter Glover MSc BSc (Hons) & Dr Cathy Bulley PhD BSc (Hons)