title: Physiotherapy students' perspectives of online e-learning for interdisciplinary management of chronic health conditions: a qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To qualitatively explore physiotherapy students' perceptions of online e-learning for chronic disease management using a previously developed, innovative and interactive, evidence-based, e-learning package: Rheumatoid Arthritis for Physiotherapists e-Learning (RAP-eL).
  
  
  METHODS
  Physiotherapy students participated in three focus groups in Perth, Western Australia. Purposive sampling was employed to ensure maximum heterogeneity across age, gender and educational background. To explore students' perspectives on the advantages and disadvantages of online e-learning, ways to enhance e-learning, and information/learning gaps in relation to interdisciplinary management of chronic health conditions, a semi-structured interview schedule was developed. Verbatim transcripts were analysed using inductive methods within a grounded theory approach to derive key themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-three students (78 % female; 39 % with previous tertiary qualification) of mean (SD) age 23 (3.6) years participated. Students expressed a preference for a combination of both online e-learning and lecture-style learning formats for chronic disease management, citing flexibility to work at one's own pace and time, and access to comprehensive information as advantages of e-learning learning. Personal interaction and ability to clarify information immediately were considered advantages of lecture-style formats. Perceived knowledge gaps included practical application of interdisciplinary approaches to chronic disease management and developing and implementing physiotherapy management plans for people with chronic health conditions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physiotherapy students preferred multi-modal and blended formats for learning about chronic disease management. This study highlights the need for further development of practically-oriented knowledge and skills related to interdisciplinary care for people with chronic conditions among physiotherapy students. While RAP-eL focuses on rheumatoid arthritis, the principles of learning apply to the broader context of chronic disease management.
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia. P.Gardner@curtin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia. H.Slater@curtin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Slater
authors.affiliation: HealthSense (Aust) Pty. Ltd., Melbourne, VIC, 3204, Australia. healthsense_aust@bigpond.com.
authors.forename: Joanne E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia. R.Fary@curtin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Robyn E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Fary
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia. J.Chua@curtin.edu.au.|Department of Health, Government of Western Australia, PO Box 8172, Perth Business Centre, Perth, WA, 6849, Australia. J.Chua@curtin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chua
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia. A.Briggs@curtin.edu.au.|Arthritis and Osteoporosis Victoria, PO Box 130, Caulfield South, VIC, 3162, Australia. A.Briggs@curtin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Andrew M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Briggs
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D020375:Education, Distance / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D058025:Interdisciplinary Studies / Q000592:standards*; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000193:education*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013336:Students, Health Occupations / Q000523:psychology*; D014904:Western Australia; D055815:Young Adult