Changes in Awareness of Major Employment Following Clinical Practice in Students of Physical Therapy

Purpose: This study attempted to provide the basic data for the institutional improvement of the clinical practice of physical therapy department students. Methods: Research for this study included 390 participants used for the analysis of the present study. The statistical analysis was of the characteristics and satisfaction of the clinical practices of subjects, the reasons for major employment preferences before and after clinical practices, and the preferred institution and field of major employment before and after clinical practice. Results: The general characteristics of students of the physical therapy department include females in their third year of college at age 20~24 years-old. As well, no religion, usual satisfaction with major, and motivation of choosing a physical therapy employment rate were the most common. A residency type in the form where one would cook one's own food and a clinical practice with a general hospital grade were seen most often. Regarding preference of major employment before and after clinical practice, the preference of major employment was 88%, which increased by 5.2% after clinical practice from 82.8% before clinical practice. The preference for no major employment due to lack of interest and no aptitude increased 43.5% from 23.9% after clinical practice. Conclusion: The number of apprentices will increase despite practice institutions being limited; for practice of environment, content, etc., relatively changes are slow, and progress rapidly medical technology. It is a society in which expertise is required; in the present study, there is a value in providing the clinical data missing in physical therapy.