Capacity of Physiotherapy Workforce Production in Thailand: Public–Private Mix, Secular Trend and Geographic Distribution. (17th April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kaewsawang, Sarinee; Chongsuvivatwong, Virasakdi; Vongsirinavarat, Mantana
• Is Part Of: Physiotherapy research international. Volume 21:Number 2(2016:Jun.)
• Page Start: 127
• Page End: 132
• Publication Date: 2015-04-17
• Subjects: education system -- physiotherapy workforce -- production -- Thailand; Physical therapy -- Periodicals; Physical Therapy Modalities -- Periodicals; Physiothérapie -- Périodiques; 615.82
• DOI: 10.1002/pri.1629
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1358-2267

Abstract

Abstract: Background and Purpose: In Thailand, the shortage of physiotherapists has been an increasing concern because of increased health burden from demographic and epidemiologic changes. This study aims to analyse the current situation of the physiotherapy workforce production system, secular trend, geographical distribution and comparison of public and private physiotherapy training institutes. Methods: Longitudinal data related to production capacity of the physiotherapy institutes were applied. Data from 2008 to 2012 were obtained from all 16 physiotherapy institutes in Thailand. Data during 2000–2007 were also retrieved from annual reports from the Ministry of Education. Descriptive statistics were initially used. Comparison was made between public and private physiotherapy institutes in terms of the number of students admitted and graduated, number of teachers, annual tuition fee, student–teacher ratio and dropout rate within 1 year. Predictive factors for graduation within 4 years were determined using logistic regression. Results: In Thailand, there was an average of 800 physiotherapy graduates per year. New private institutes have been recently established and have steadily increased student admission rates. However, this has resulted in a high student–teacher ratio (median 7.1, inter‐quartile range (IQR) 5.9–10.0). The first‐year dropout rate in 2012 was 29.1%. Geographically, the majority of the institutes are clustered in the central region. Multivariate analysis revealed significantly lower probability of graduation within 4 years among students admitted to the private institutes and those in non‐north‐east region. Conclusion: The production capacity of the physiotherapy workforce is below an estimated need. Private physiotherapy institutes need more support to improve the situation of staff shortages and student graduation rates. The non‐central regions should be encouraged to produce more physiotherapists. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.