Self-efficacy of using lower extremity orthoses among final-year physical therapy students

Abstract

Due to the lack of experience with lower extremity orthoses in clinical training, self-efficacy of using lower extremity orthoses may not be sufficient. In this study, we investigated the self-efficacy of using lower extremity orthoses in final-year physical therapy students and examined the differences based on the process of using lower extremity orthoses and experience opportunities. The purpose of this study was to clarify the education issues pertaining to lower extremity orthoses. This study included 41 final-year physical therapy students from single three-year vocational schools. The questionnaire included questions on age, gender, types of clinical training facilities, self-efficacy of using lower extremity orthoses, and experience opportunities. Comparison of the experience opportunities showed that the highest value of self-efficacy was seen in the order of experience in clinical training, campus experience, and no experience. Comparison of process showed that the highest self-efficacy value was seen in the order of use, selection, and adjustment. Comparison of the process details revealed that items related to the knee-ankle-foot orthosis and Gait Solution showed low values. Therefore, the results of the study indicate that it is necessary to create experience opportunities on campus and reduce the differences in the content of process to potentially resolve the education issues of self-efficacy of using lower extremity orthoses.