Evolución del concepto «Fisioterapia» en estudiantes de la diplomatura de Fisioterapia

Objetivos: el presente trabajo explora la evolución del concepto «Fisioterapia» en alumnos de tercer curso de la diplomatura después de 3 años de instrucción. Muestra y método utilizado: al final de la diplomatura se aplicó a la muestra de alumnos del primer estudio (Serrado et al, 1997) las mismas pruebas que cuando estaban iniciando sus estudios (una de asociaciones libres y otra de definiciones). Resultados: los alumnos al terminar la carrera utilizan un vocabulario más técnico asociado a concepto «Fisioterapia»; baja considerablemente la frecuencia de asociación con el término «masaje» con relación al primer curso, y aumenta la corrección y especificidad de las técnicas nombradas. Las variaciones en la definición del concepto se refieren al aumento de la corrección, prevalecida de definiciones incompletas y al aumento de atribución de una finalidad «preventiva» junto a la curativa. Los aspectos sociológicos ligados al concepto «Fisioterapia» se mantienen primordialmente unidos al mismo cliché del primer curso: es «arte y ciencia». Conclusiones: al terminar la diplomatura, el concepto de «Fisioterapia» en los alumnos se ha ampliado con respecto al primer estudio en lo que respecta a su finalidad preventiva/curativa. La ausencia de asociaciones con dimensiones sociales relevantes actualmente en esta profesión nos lleva a proponer que la formación de los/as fisioterapeutas debería tener en cuenta la integración de la educación sanitaria a las ciencias de la salud y la orientación hacia la comunidad, elementos que recientemente se han incorporado a las nuevas concepciones (y definiciones) de la Fisioterapia.

Objectives: this present paper explores the evolution of the concept of «Physiotherapy» among third year students of the diplomate course, after three years of studies. Sample and methodology employed: by the end of the diplomate course, the same tests (one was on free associations and the other was on definitions) were given to the group of students who took them during their first year (Serrano et al, 1997) when they were just starting their studies. Results: by the end of their degree, the students use a more technical vocabulary associated with the concept «Physiotherapy»; the frequency of its association to the term «massage» is considerably lower than it was during the first year of the course; furthermore, there is an increase in the corrections and specificity of the techniques mentioned. The variations in the definition of the concept refers to: an increase in the correction, the prevalence of incomplete definitions and an increase of reference to its «preventive» purpose along with rehabilitation and cure. The sociological aspects attached to this concept are basically maintained and connected to the same «cliché» used during the first year of the degree: Physiotherapy is «art and science». Conclusions: by the end of the diplomate course, the students' concept of «Physiotherapy» has been amplified with respect to the concept they had of it during their first year of studies, specifically as regards its preventive and curative purposes. The absence of references (associations) with social dimensions presently relevant to this profession, has led us to propose that the formation of physiotherapists should take into account the integration of health education to health sciences as well as an orientation towards community-elements that have been recently incorporated to the new ways of conceiving (and defining) physiotherapy.