Bernhardt Julie, Tang Lili Shyn-Li
National Stroke Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg Heights, VIC 3081, Australia.
Aust J Physiother. 2008;54(2):135-40. doi: 10.1016/s0004-9514(08)70047-3.
What career paths have physiotherapist researchers taken? What should career paths for physiotherapist researchers look like?
Observational study with questionnaire.
Australian physiotherapists who had a completed a Doctor of Philosophy degree by 2006.
Fifty-six of 87 physiotherapists with a doctorate degree (response rate 64%) completed the questionnaire. Over half had completed the doctorate since 2000. An interest in clinical research was the strongest driver for undertaking a doctorate degree. Of the respondents, 52% worked in traditional academic roles while those who pursued other mixed clinical/research or pure research paths reported a lack of job security; 38% continued to work clinically, with a further 43% reporting they would like to but had insufficient time or a career structure that did not allow clinical work. 54% felt that the profession valued research, while 63% felt that research was valued by clinicians. The four main suggestions for improving current research career paths were: 1) develop research careers that allow mixed clinical/research and academic/clinical roles; 2) improve funding for training, particularly post-doctoral positions, and secure appropriately funded physiotherapy research positions; 3) improve co-operation between academic (university) and clinical researchers; and 4) develop more flexible research careers to accommodate private practitioner researchers and others wishing to combine clinical work with teaching and research.
Physiotherapist researchers need broader career options and seek greater opportunity to link with clinical practice. Encouraging a vibrant research culture should foster professional excellence and enhance our reputation in the community.
物理治疗师研究人员选择了哪些职业道路？物理治疗师研究人员的职业道路应该是怎样的？
问卷调查的观察性研究。
截至2006年已获得哲学博士学位的澳大利亚物理治疗师。
87名拥有博士学位的物理治疗师中有56名（回复率64%）完成了问卷。超过半数是在2000年以后获得博士学位的。对临床研究的兴趣是攻读博士学位的最主要驱动力。在受访者中，52%从事传统学术工作，而那些选择其他临床/研究混合或纯研究道路的人表示缺乏工作保障；38%继续从事临床工作，另有43%表示他们想从事临床工作，但时间不足或职业架构不允许。54%认为该专业重视研究，而63%认为临床医生重视研究。对改善当前研究职业道路的四条主要建议是：1）发展允许临床/研究混合及学术/临床角色的研究职业；2）增加培训资金，特别是博士后职位的资金，并确保有适当资金支持的物理治疗研究职位；3）改善学术（大学）研究人员与临床研究人员之间的合作；4）发展更灵活的研究职业，以容纳私人执业研究人员和其他希望将临床工作与教学及研究相结合的人员。
物理治疗师研究人员需要更广泛的职业选择，并寻求更多与临床实践相联系的机会。鼓励充满活力的研究文化应能促进专业卓越，并提升我们在社区中的声誉。
