Are newly graduated physiotherapists in Quebec prepared for work rehabilitation practice? A mixed method study

ORCID

Christian Longtin : 0000-0002-1038-658X

Marie-France Coutu : 0000-0002-8539-2810

André Bussières : 0000-0002-2818-6949

Type de document

Études primaires

Année de publication

2026

Langue

Anglais

Titre de la revue

Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation

Résumé

Purpose

Physiotherapists are frontline providers in supporting the return-to-work process of individuals with musculoskeletal disorders. However, many report feeling unprepared for work rehabilitation following entry-level training. This study explored recent physiotherapy graduates in Quebec, Canada, perceived preparedness to practice in work rehabilitation and its influencing factors.

Materials and Methods

A convergent mixed methods design grounded in a competency-based framework was used. Recent graduates from physiotherapy programs completed a cross-sectional survey rating their perceived preparedness across seven work rehabilitation competencies. Semi-structured individual interviews explored how their training prepared them for work rehabilitation practice. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively, and interviews were thematically analyzed. Findings were integrated through a joint display to contextualize preparedness ratings with qualitative insights.

Results

Twenty-five recent graduates from five physiotherapy programs across the province of Quebec completed both the survey and the interview. Perceived preparedness was highest for competencies on person-centered care and collaborative treatment planning, and lowest for psychosocial factors management, collaboration with involved actors, compensation system navigation, and return-to-work support. Three overarching themes influenced perceived preparedness: (1) role perceptions in work rehabilitation, (2) enablers such as supportive curriculum elements, and (3) challenges including stigma toward injured workers and limited work rehabilitation-specific training. A fourth theme described strategies to improve work rehabilitation training.

Conclusions

Recent physiotherapy graduates reported varying levels of perceived preparedness for work rehabilitation, with the lowest ratings associated with managing psychosocial factors, collaborating with involved actors, navigating compensation systems, and supporting return to work. These gaps were linked to limited work rehabilitation training, perceived role ambiguity, and exposure to stigma. Future research should develop strategies to improve work rehabilitation training in physiotherapy programs.

Mots-clés

Physiothérapie, Physiotherapy, Réadaptation physique, Physical rehabilitation, Enquête par questionnaire, Questionnaire survey, Enquête par entrevue, Interview survey, Maintien en emploi, Job maintenance

Numéro de projet IRSST

n/a

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