Overview of styles, content, learning effects and attitudes of students towards digitally enhanced physiotherapy education – a scoping review

Abstract

Background Digital competences are essential for lifelong learning, as highlighted by the European Commission and emphasized in the Digital Education Action Plan 2021–2027. The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated an unprecedented shift to online education, profoundly impacting fields like physiotherapy that heavily rely on practical skills. This scoping review aims to provide an overview of currently applied digitally enhanced learning methods, content, effectiveness and student perceptions in physiotherapy education. Methods Following PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews, a comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases, including Medline, Web of Science, and ERIC, incorporating hand searches and expert consultations. Studies were included if they reported on any digital educational methods in physiotherapy education, involving clinical trials, observational studies, or case reports published in English or German from 2010 to February 2024. Data extraction focused on the digital tools that were used, the educational contents, individually measured outcomes, and the impact of digital education. Results Out of 2988 screened studies, 68 met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 7160 participants. These studies primarily used quantitative methods (n = 51), with a minority using qualitative (n = 7) or mixed methods (n = 6). Nearly half employed hybrid educational approaches. Outcomes measure included knowledge, performance, perception, satisfaction, and attitudes. Most studies reported positive impacts of digital education, particularly in knowledge transfer and skill performance. Synchronous and asynchronous methods were used, with varying success across theoretical and practical courses. Gamification and virtual reality emerged as promising tools for enhancing engagement and learning outcomes. However, challenges included the limited direct interaction and perceived self-efficacy among students. Conclusion Digital learning formats in physiotherapy education can enhance learning experiences and is generally welcomed by students, especially when blended with traditional methods. The integration of innovative digital strategies holds promise for the future of physiotherapy training, contingent on comprehensive support and training for educators and students alike.