Blending Online and In-Person Seminars to Strengthen Clinical Placement Learning in Physiotherapy Education
Slawomir Wojniusz, Anne Gudrun Langaas, Yngve Røe Department of Rehabilitation Science and Health Technology, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, NorwayCorrespondence: Slawomir Wojniusz, Oslo Metropolitan University, Postboks 4, St. Olavs plass, Oslo, 0130, Norway, Email slawomir@oslomet.noIntroduct...
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Dove Medical Press
2025-04-01
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| author | Wojniusz S Langaas AG Røe Y |
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| description | Slawomir Wojniusz, Anne Gudrun Langaas, Yngve Røe Department of Rehabilitation Science and Health Technology, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, NorwayCorrespondence: Slawomir Wojniusz, Oslo Metropolitan University, Postboks 4, St. Olavs plass, Oslo, 0130, Norway, Email slawomir@oslomet.noIntroduction: Digital technology continues to reshape health professions education, yet little is known about the relative effectiveness of synchronous online versus in-person collaborative learning in strengthening clinical placement experiences for physiotherapy students. This study examined physiotherapy students’ expectations, perceptions, and preferences regarding online and in-person small-group seminars.Methods: A quasi-randomized crossover design was used in two course iterations (I-1, I-2) involving 106 final-semester physiotherapy students. Participants were split into groups of 5– 6 to engage in ten seminars discussing complex clinical cases drawn from their prior placements, with half of the groups starting online and later switching to in-person, and vice versa. A third iteration (I-3; n=77) alternated between online and in-person sessions following two initial in-person seminars. Data were gathered through anonymous electronic surveys containing Likert-scale ratings and open-text responses. Quantitative data were analyzed with t-tests and chi-square tests; qualitative comments underwent thematic analysis.Results: Mid-course evaluations revealed no significant differences in perceived effectiveness when students had experienced only one format. By the course’s end, however most students ultimately favored in-person seminars for richer social interaction (I-2: 80%; I-1: 38%; I-3: 54%), although they consistently recognized online sessions as time-efficient and flexible. Notably, students’ initial expectations (I-1 and I-2) strongly mirrored their final evaluations. Qualitative feedback highlighted that in-person seminars provided higher-quality social interactions, while online seminars offered greater efficiency and flexibility. Most students indicated a preference for a blended format in future courses.Conclusion: By blending in-person and online sessions, collaborative seminars can give physiotherapy students the best of both worlds for their clinical placement learning. Meeting in-person fosters richer discussions and deeper social connections, while online sessions offer efficiency, flexibility and help students develop essential digital competence. Together, these formats create a more adaptable, forward-looking learning environment that aligns with the evolving demands of professional practice.Keywords: collaborative learning, online learning, health professions education, group seminars, physiotherapy education, clinical placement |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-21b3b019f70e4e50b45559af0300d31b |
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| issn | 1179-7258 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Dove Medical Press |
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| series | Advances in Medical Education and Practice |
| spelling | doaj-art-21b3b019f70e4e50b45559af0300d31b2025-08-20T02:08:11ZengDove Medical PressAdvances in Medical Education and Practice1179-72582025-04-01Volume 16557567101779Blending Online and In-Person Seminars to Strengthen Clinical Placement Learning in Physiotherapy EducationWojniusz SLangaas AGRøe YSlawomir Wojniusz, Anne Gudrun Langaas, Yngve Røe Department of Rehabilitation Science and Health Technology, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, NorwayCorrespondence: Slawomir Wojniusz, Oslo Metropolitan University, Postboks 4, St. Olavs plass, Oslo, 0130, Norway, Email slawomir@oslomet.noIntroduction: Digital technology continues to reshape health professions education, yet little is known about the relative effectiveness of synchronous online versus in-person collaborative learning in strengthening clinical placement experiences for physiotherapy students. This study examined physiotherapy students’ expectations, perceptions, and preferences regarding online and in-person small-group seminars.Methods: A quasi-randomized crossover design was used in two course iterations (I-1, I-2) involving 106 final-semester physiotherapy students. Participants were split into groups of 5– 6 to engage in ten seminars discussing complex clinical cases drawn from their prior placements, with half of the groups starting online and later switching to in-person, and vice versa. A third iteration (I-3; n=77) alternated between online and in-person sessions following two initial in-person seminars. Data were gathered through anonymous electronic surveys containing Likert-scale ratings and open-text responses. Quantitative data were analyzed with t-tests and chi-square tests; qualitative comments underwent thematic analysis.Results: Mid-course evaluations revealed no significant differences in perceived effectiveness when students had experienced only one format. By the course’s end, however most students ultimately favored in-person seminars for richer social interaction (I-2: 80%; I-1: 38%; I-3: 54%), although they consistently recognized online sessions as time-efficient and flexible. Notably, students’ initial expectations (I-1 and I-2) strongly mirrored their final evaluations. Qualitative feedback highlighted that in-person seminars provided higher-quality social interactions, while online seminars offered greater efficiency and flexibility. Most students indicated a preference for a blended format in future courses.Conclusion: By blending in-person and online sessions, collaborative seminars can give physiotherapy students the best of both worlds for their clinical placement learning. Meeting in-person fosters richer discussions and deeper social connections, while online sessions offer efficiency, flexibility and help students develop essential digital competence. Together, these formats create a more adaptable, forward-looking learning environment that aligns with the evolving demands of professional practice.Keywords: collaborative learning, online learning, health professions education, group seminars, physiotherapy education, clinical placementhttps://www.dovepress.com/blending-online-and-in-person-seminars-to-strengthen-clinical-placemen-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-AMEPcollaborative learningonline learninghealth professions educationgroup seminarsphysiotherapy educationclinical placement |
| spellingShingle | Wojniusz S Langaas AG Røe Y Blending Online and In-Person Seminars to Strengthen Clinical Placement Learning in Physiotherapy Education Advances in Medical Education and Practice collaborative learning online learning health professions education group seminars physiotherapy education clinical placement |
| title | Blending Online and In-Person Seminars to Strengthen Clinical Placement Learning in Physiotherapy Education |
| title_full | Blending Online and In-Person Seminars to Strengthen Clinical Placement Learning in Physiotherapy Education |
| title_fullStr | Blending Online and In-Person Seminars to Strengthen Clinical Placement Learning in Physiotherapy Education |
| title_full_unstemmed | Blending Online and In-Person Seminars to Strengthen Clinical Placement Learning in Physiotherapy Education |
| title_short | Blending Online and In-Person Seminars to Strengthen Clinical Placement Learning in Physiotherapy Education |
| title_sort | blending online and in person seminars to strengthen clinical placement learning in physiotherapy education |
| topic | collaborative learning online learning health professions education group seminars physiotherapy education clinical placement |
| url | https://www.dovepress.com/blending-online-and-in-person-seminars-to-strengthen-clinical-placemen-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-AMEP |
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