title: Arts, literature and reflective writing as educational strategies to promote narrative reasoning capabilities among physiotherapy students.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of arts, literature and reflective writing has becoming increasingly popular in health professionals education. However, research examining its contribution as an educational strategy to promote narrative reasoning capabilities is limited, particularly from the students' perspective.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to explore the final year physiotherapy students' perspectives about the contribution of arts, literature and reflective writing in facilitating narrative reasoning capabilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three focus group meetings using a semi-structured interview schedule were carried out to collect data. Focus group sessions were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to conduct the study and analyze the transcripts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three themes emerged: (1) developmental understanding of the patients' experiences; (2) developmental understanding about the self; and (3) embedding reflection in clinical practice. Students emphasized an increasing capability to be sensitive and vicariously experience the patient's experience. Through reflective writing, students reported they became more capable of thinking critically about their practice and learning needs for continuous professional development. Finally, students highlighted the contribution of these strategies in making reflection part of their practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Final year physiotherapy students reported enhanced skills of narrative reasoning. The findings support the inclusion of these strategies within the undergraduate physiotherapy curricula.
authors: Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Care, Setubal Polytechnic Institute , Setúbal , Portugal.
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: Caeiro
authors: Eduardo Brazete
authors: EB
authors: Cruz
authors: Carla Mendes
authors: CM
authors: Pereira
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D032882:Comprehension; D003479:Curriculum; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008091:Literature; D033262:Narration; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000193:education*; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000193:education*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012647:Self-Assessment; D013336:Students, Health Occupations / Q000523:psychology*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D013850:Thinking; D014956:Writing
keywords: Educational strategies; narrative reasoning; undergraduate physiotherapy curricula