# Collaborative work within the ENPHE research working group: aiming to excellence.

> News from the ENPHE's research group: Spring Seminar 2024.

## Overview
The ENPHE Spring Seminar took place at the Universidade da Coruña in A Coruña, Spain. The seminar, themed “Physiotherapy education: aiming at excellence through collaboration,” brought together physiotherapy teachers to participate in working groups, keynote speeches, and workshops.

The Research Working Group (WG) of the European Network of Physiotherapy in Higher Education (ENPHE) is dedicated to advancing scientific inquiry and promoting Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) engagement. The group aims to enhance both teachers’ and students’ knowledge of evidence-based physiotherapy.

## Ongoing Research Projects

### Evaluating the “EBP Clinician Profile”
Following a 2023 exploratory review on educational sequences for teaching EBP, the group is conducting a systematic review to identify the best tool for evaluating an “EBP clinician profile.” The objective is to construct a method with high methodological quality that focuses on the “knowledge” and “skill” dimensions, while considering the incorporation of attitude, behavior, and self-efficacy.

### Evidence-Based Physiotherapy BIP Program
Last October, a group of lecturers from the ENPHE research group conducted a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) for 40 international students at the University of Savonia. The intensive week-long program focused on analyzing evidence across different fields. Due to positive outcomes, a second edition is being planned for next autumn in Prague, coordinated by Prof. Dagmar Pavlu.

### “More Life to Your Years” Project
This joint collaboration, spearheaded by Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen and Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, uses a mixed-methods approach to identify frailty and factors contributing to human vulnerability in an aging population. 

Charles University joined the project last year to implement a qualitative study. In Prague, research led by master’s student Jana Pojerová evaluated how seniors perceive physical activity and the concept of frailty, revealing that the term "frailty" was unfamiliar to the participants.

### Scoping Review on Prefrailty
A student from Hanze University presented a pilot scoping review exploring definitions of prefrailty in European physiotherapeutic literature. The findings suggest current definitions are limited by a focus on physical aspects. The group plans to develop a definitive scoping review; those interested in contributing should contact Anne Griet Brader (a.g.brader@pl.hanze.nl).

### Teacher Survey on EBP Curriculum
The group is analyzing a survey of teachers regarding EBP curriculum content, teaching innovation, and evaluation methods. Discussions held during the Spring Seminar helped identify key points to refine the research plan and survey questions.

## Authors
*   **Marja Äijö**, PhD, principal lecturer of rehabilitation and gerontology, Savonia University Applied Sciences, Finland.
*   **Zeltia Naia-Entonado**, PT, MSc, PhD, University of a Coruña, Spain.
*   **Verónica Robles García**, PhD, MSc, PT, OT, University of a Coruña, Spain.
*   **Dagmar Pavlů**, physiotherapist, associate professor, Charles University, Czech Republic.
*   **Anne Griet Brader**, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands.
*   **Paula School**, physiotherapy student, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands.
*   **Adrien Pallot**, Physiotherapy Department, CEERRF and Institut d’Ingénierie de la Santé, UPJV, France.

## References
*   Boshnjaku A, Arnadottir AS, Pallot A, Wagener M, Äijö M. 2023. Improving the Evidence-Based Practice Skills of Entry-Level Physiotherapy Students through Educational Interventions: A Scoping Review of Literature. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(16), 6605; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20166605
*   GBD 2021 Demographics Collaborator. 2024. Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950-2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Lancet. 8:S0140-6736(24)00476-8. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00476-8.
*   The European Network of Physiotherapy in Higher Education (ENPHE). 2023. In available: https://www.enphe.org/en
*   Äijö M, Boshnjaku A, Pallot A, Griet Brader A, den Ouden I, Schoo P, Naia Entonado Z, Pojerová J, Pavlu D. 2023a. Educating Physiotherapists for a Global Mindset – ENPHE and research groups results. Published: 18.10.2023. In available: https://www.savonia.fi/en/articles/educating-physiotherapists-for-a-global-mindset-enphe-and-research-groups-results/
*   Äijö M, Wagener M, Pallot A, Pavlu D, Arnadottir SA. 2023b. Evidence-based Practice – Experiences from Teachers and Students. Savonia article. Published: 27.1.2023. In available: https://www.savonia.fi/en/articles/savonia-article-evidence-based-practice-experiences-from-teachers-and-students/