The investigation of the educational needs on the job competence for physical therapist assistant in the students of Quang Tri medical college in Vietnam

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the educational needs on the job competence for physical therapist assistant in the students of Quang Tri medical college in Vietnam. [Participants and Methods] Participants consisted of 17 individuals in the educational program for physical therapist assistant in Quang Tri medical college. The importance recognition ranking and current levels were measured by self-assessment for job competence of physical therapist assistant using a questionnaire. The educational needs were calculated by importance recognition ranking and current level by a self-assessment of job competence. [Results] The importance recognition ranking of job competence appeared to show a ‘system checkup’ as the top ranked category. The rank of current levels of competencies was determined by self-assessment of job competence and results showed that ‘cooperation, communication, and documentation’ was the highest category of the current levels. The highest rank of the educational needs was ‘counseling and education’. [Conclusion] The educational needs rank of job competence appeared to be ‘counseling and education’ foremost. Counseling and education with the patient is a fundamental component of effective healthcare. Therefore, it should be considered a priority for the educational curriculum of physical therapist assistant.