What question did this study set out to answer?

To explore physiotherapy students' perceptions of their preparedness and ability to manage patients presenting with co-existing mental health conditions alongside primary physical health presentations in clinical practice.

July 15, 2026South African Journal of PhysiotherapyOpen Access

Physiotherapy students’ perceptions of managing patients with mental illness: A qualitative exploration at a South African university

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Authors

MSMaylene Salo FKFarhana Karachi DHDanelle Hess

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Overview

Qualitative study reveals gaps between theory and practice in managing mental illness among physiotherapy students, highlighting the need for enhanced psychiatric clinical training.

Key Points

To explore physiotherapy students' perceptions of their preparedness and ability to manage patients presenting with co-existing mental health conditions alongside primary physical health presentations in clinical practice.
Conducted a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive study involving N=16 fourth-year physiotherapy students (mean age 22.8 ± 1.32 years) at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa.
Gathered data via semi-structured individual interviews conducted face-to-face or online, followed by Braun and Clarke's six-phase thematic analysis.
Identified four core themes: evolving understandings of mental illness through knowledge and lived experience, negotiating care within personal and clinical realities, insufficient alignment between theory and practice, and defining physiotherapy's role in mental healthcare.
Participants highlighted significant barriers translating classroom concepts into clinical environments, emphasizing an unmet need for integrated practical training to improve clinical competence and confidence.

Cite This Study

Salo et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a78e5946c455828f2f99d2e https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2355

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July 15, 2026South African Journal of PhysiotherapyOpen Access

Physiotherapy students’ perceptions of managing patients with mental illness: A qualitative exploration at a South African university

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

MSMaylene Salo FKFarhana Karachi DHDanelle Hess

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Qualitative study reveals gaps between theory and practice in managing mental illness among physiotherapy students, highlighting the need for enhanced psychiatric clinical training.

Key Points

To explore physiotherapy students' perceptions of their preparedness and ability to manage patients presenting with co-existing mental health conditions alongside primary physical health presentations in clinical practice.
Conducted a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive study involving N=16 fourth-year physiotherapy students (mean age 22.8 ± 1.32 years) at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa.
Gathered data via semi-structured individual interviews conducted face-to-face or online, followed by Braun and Clarke's six-phase thematic analysis.
Identified four core themes: evolving understandings of mental illness through knowledge and lived experience, negotiating care within personal and clinical realities, insufficient alignment between theory and practice, and defining physiotherapy's role in mental healthcare.
Participants highlighted significant barriers translating classroom concepts into clinical environments, emphasizing an unmet need for integrated practical training to improve clinical competence and confidence.

Cite This Study

Salo et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a78e5946c455828f2f99d2e https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2355

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