Online Learning in Physiotherapy Education and Health Allied Profession during the Pandemic: A Scoping Review

Abstract

During pandemic, the education sector remains one of the worst-hit by Coronavirus outbreak and universities across the world have transitioned to online delivery system that requires both teachers and learners to adapt with technological support. Hence, Scoping Review was utilized to explore the different practices around the globe in educating Physiotherapist students and other health allied professions through online learning. The researchers used the ScR by Joanna Briggs Insti- tute (JBI) to map and summarize the different experiences of the students, teachers and courses delivery of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in a global context. With the utilization of ScR, it can be used as a policy map as bases for adopting hybrid flexible learning approach. A total of 2459 titles and full abstract level was screened, and 56 full articles were selected (19 cross sectional study,15 qualitative studies, 8 survey questionnaire studies, 5 mixed method studies, 4 systematic reviews, 1 case control, 1 cohort study, 1 quasi-experimental, 1 Scoping Review, and 1 Randomized Control Trial). 39 articles were from Asia, 8 from Europe, 5 from Africa, 3 from Australia and 1 from USA. The articles were categorized based on the new learning circumstances, experiences, perceived advantages, drawbacks in delivery of curriculum in the new normal academic landscape. COVID-19 pandemic created a significant impact in the delivery of curriculum. The different factors that are identified and mapped can be a benchmark in creating a hybrid flexible learning to the paradigm shift in education.