Evaluation of a Long-Term, Physical Therapy Service-Learning Partnership in Ecuador: Inclusion of the Community Voice

Abstract

Background and Purpose. International service learning (ISL) is an instructional method used by physical therapist educators to increase the global perspective of students. Research exploring student experiences with ISL is plentiful, but evaluation of service outcomes from the community partner perspective is lacking. The purposes of this work were to evaluate the impact of a long-term community partnership through: (1) identification of benefits, drawbacks, and suggestions for sustaining the partnership and (2) gathering feedback on the immediate and short-term perspective of training provided to orphanage staff. Method/Model Description and Evaluation. The model consisted of a curriculum-based ISL experience involving a US-based physical therapy program and a service site at an Ecuadorian orphanage. For the current work, an evaluation component was added to the model. Three complementary approaches: the SOFAR Model, Exchange theory, and the partnership qualities of closeness, equity, and integrity informed the evaluation. Data consisted of 6 interviews conducted and 17 surveys administered to Ecuadorian community partner staff/administration. Data were analyzed using qualitative thematic content analysis, descriptive statistics, and paired t tests. Outcomes. Partnership benefits included: iterative pre-trip communication, a respectful and mutually beneficial relationship, capacity building through education, and physical therapy that positively affected the children's quality of life. Drawbacks were the potential for host site dependency due to lack of local capacity, negative impact of new technology on staff workload, and poor treatment carryover. Continued training was identified as critical for building capacity within orphanage staff. Discussion and Conclusion. As more US student teams deliver clinical services abroad, intentional evaluation approaches must include the community partner voice to maximize benefits, minimize burdens, build capacity, and addresses issues of vital importance to the service site.

An Experiential Learning Activity Using an Online Judgment-Based Pediatric Functional Measure During Hybrid Instruction With Doctor of Physical Therapy Students

“…Learning Activity Process performance competency grades, 34 focus groups, 33 and interviews. 35 e use of student course evaluations, narrative evaluations, and case studies have also been described. 36 We used operational criteria, educational outcomes, and survey feedback to evaluate this activity, which provided measures of feasibility, multiple levels of student learning, and student satisfaction.…”

“…In previously published method/model studies, both quantitative and qualitative outcome methods and measures have been reported including reflective papers and portfolios, 30,31 surveys and questionnaires, 31-33 laboratory performance competency grades, 34 focus groups, 33 and interviews. 35 The use of student course evaluations, narrative evaluations, and case studies have also been described. 36 We used operational criteria, educational outcomes, and survey feedback to evaluate this activity, which provided measures of feasibility, multiple levels of student learning, and student satisfaction.…”

Uncovering Ethical Dilemmas in International Service-Learning: A Grounded Theory

“…Data demonstrating improvements in community identified outcomes should be gathered as part of routine program evaluations, and by engaging the host community in ongoing and open communication outside of that which happens just before the ISL experience. Hayward et al 14,34,68 have demonstrated their focus on obtaining and integrating their community partner's perspectives to inform, sustain, and improve the relationship between the host and the academic partner. Haines and Lambaria 35 interviewed 12 community members to obtain the community's feedback regarding the ISL experience, and Petersen et al 36 used the conceptual model of ISL to evaluate their ISL experience.…”

“…Finally, the short-term nature of these experiences may negatively influence multiple aspects of patient care such as establishing a therapeutic alliance, developing an appropriate plan of care, monitoring the response to interventions and appropriately modifying them, measuring outcomes, and establishing follow-up care as needed. 19,23,[25][26][27][28]33,34 The Benefit Narrative International Service-Learning in physical therapy literature has been studied disproportionately as it pertains to the student benefit [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] versus patient/client benefit or the effects it has on the host community. [34][35][36] e benefits to students include (1) improved cultural competence 6-9,11,13-15 ; (2) improved critical thinking and problem-solving skills 6,10 ; (3) improved interpersonal skills and global awareness 11,12 ; (4) improved communication skills 6,8,10,14 ; (5) desire to promote global programs 11 ; (6) improved professionalism 6,[8][9][10]14 ; and (7) enhanced sense of social responsibility.…”

“…19,23,[25][26][27][28]33,34 The Benefit Narrative International Service-Learning in physical therapy literature has been studied disproportionately as it pertains to the student benefit [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] versus patient/client benefit or the effects it has on the host community. [34][35][36] e benefits to students include (1) improved cultural competence 6-9,11,13-15 ; (2) improved critical thinking and problem-solving skills 6,10 ; (3) improved interpersonal skills and global awareness 11,12 ; (4) improved communication skills 6,8,10,14 ; (5) desire to promote global programs 11 ; (6) improved professionalism 6,[8][9][10]14 ; and (7) enhanced sense of social responsibility. 8,9,12,14 By highlighting the benefits of ISL, universities potentially increase their marketability by attracting students who may hold the widely prevalent view that international experiences are valued by employers and consider engaging in such experiences for professional development.…”