Profile of faculty members and of contents of Physical Therapy in Women’s Health taught in Public Institutions of Higher Education in Brazil

Abstract

It was assessed the profile of faculty members and contents of Physical Therapy in Women’s Health taught in Public Institutions of Higher Education in Brazil. This is a cross-sectional and descriptive study. Professors of Physical Therapy in Women’s Health or related areas of Brazilian Public Institutions were invited to fill a structured questionnaire containing questions about personal information, academic background, professional experience and syllabus of the subject. Data were descriptively analyzed in the SAS Program. Fifty-one professors of 44 Physical Therapy programs participated in the research. Most of the professors were women, with an average age of 39.6 ± 7.4 years. Most of them held research, teaching and extension activities and master’s and doctoral degrees, but only 25.5% are registered in Graduate Programs in Specialized Fields (Master’s or Doctorate). All programs offer at least one compulsory subject and in 54.6% of the programs a compulsory internship in Physical Therapy in Women’s Health is offered. The contents taught and practice scenarios are diverse, as well as the name of the subjects and internships. In most programs, students learn how to perform vaginal palpation in the internship and practical skills are trained in a diversified way and in varied practical scenarios. The professors are young, female and conduct teaching, research and extension activities. All programs offer mandatory subjects in the area and most of them offer mandatory internship. The name of the subjects vary as well as the form of training of the practical skills taught.