Experience of rehabilitation professionals regarding conducting undergraduate research: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Rehabilitation science is an interdisciplinary field focusing on human function and disability. The Bangladesh Health Professions Institute (BHPI) is an academic institute of the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) in Bangladesh offers various rehabilitation courses, such as Occupational Therapy (OT), Physiotherapy (PT), Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) and Prosthetics and Orthotics (P and O). These rehabilitation courses develop expert rehabilitation professionals to provide appropriate rehabilitation for people with disabilities. As the BHPI has been running an undergraduate research program for decades, it was essential to know the experience of rehabilitation professionals as there is a gap in the evidence. Aim: The study aimed to explore the experiences of rehabilitation professionals who graduated from the BHPI in conducting their undergraduate research. Methods: A phenomenological approach of qualitative research design was used to conduct the study. Nine participants were conveniently selected who recently completed graduation from the Department of OT, PT and SLT of the BHPI. There were three respondents from each department, with no participants from P and O as they did not match the criteria. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were performed to collect data through a self-developed interview guide. Thematic analysis was used by following Braun and Clarke's six steps for analysing all data. Results: The study identified six themes, including some sub-themes. The themes are 1) Readiness to conduct research, 2) Institutional facilities, 3) Data collection experience, 4) Supervision, 5) Family support and 6) Self-reflection. All themes, including sub-themes, described the students' simultaneously positive and negative experiences concerning the research process. Conclusions: Participants in this study finished their theses as scheduled. Results showed that participants with previous preparation on methodology were more motivated. They also suggested the BHPI for developing a research council to increase the students' involvement with the basic research process. Participants also recommended that the students must maintain frequent communication with their supervisors. As supervisors are involved in the entire process, their experience can be further studied. Additionally, students' mental health during the research time can be further researched. Keywords: Undergraduate Research, Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation professionals, Experience, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech and Language Therapy and Prosthetics and Orthotics.