Rehabilitation Professional Attitude Towards Persons with Disability

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the attitude of physical therapy and speech language pathology students toward persons with disability. Study Design: Descriptive analytical Place and Duration of Study: From 1 July to 31 December 2014 at Riphah College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Riphah International University Islamabad. Materials and Methods: A sample of 246 (81 post graduate, 145 under graduate and 20 Speech language pathologists) was recruited through purposive sampling. Both gender and willing students were included in study. The standard tool for attitude toward disabled person (ATDP), A & B performa was circulated to all participations. Brief demographic information was included and finally statistical analysis was drawn through SPSS-20. Results: The mean age of under graduate, post graduate physiotherapy students and speech language pathologists was 22.3±3.12, 25.7±2.81 and 27.6±27 years respectively. The statistical analysis showed that there was a significant difference in personal and professional attitude towards disability of under graduate and post graduate physiotherapy students (p<0.001). The comparison showed that there was no significant difference in personal and professional attitude towards disability of post graduate physiotherapy students and speech language pathologists (p=0.481, p=0.275) respectively. Conclusion: The study concluded that the attitude of speech language pathologists is more positive than physiotherapy students and graduates. The attitude of under graduate physiotherapy students is more positive as compared to the post graduates. There is dire need to modify and upgrade the curriculum about the significance of disability in under grad.

Keywords

• disabled persons, physiotherapy students, personal attitude, professional attitude.