TY - JOUR
T1 - Academe and the field
T2 - A case study of a physical therapy program
AU - Davidovitch, Nitza
AU - Jacob, Tamar
N1 - Funding Information:
At the time, the dynamics of the academic mission in Israel did not undermine the academe ’s significance in service of Zionism and its role in the revival of Jewish intellectual life in Israel (6) . It was assigned the role of advancing science and education, values anchored deeply in Jewish heritage. Higher education institutions established in Israel after the founding of the State continued the course set by pioneer institutions. In the first years of statehood, community service had a visible, distinct character and an agenda of its own. For example, the Technion focused on agricultural research to contribute to economic growth, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, followed by additional universities, operated preparatory courses designed to reduce social gaps in Israel. In the 1970s, Bar Ilan University absorbed new immigrants as part of a Social Work Faculty project, and Ben Gurion University played a role in the social and industrial development of the Negev. These were all activities of a distinct social character, which the institutions viewed as their mission for the sake of the community. In those years, social activities were typically of an ideological nature, originating in the history of the development of higher education in Israel. Over the years, community service became a major agenda (similar to the view of the pioneers) for the institutions ’ survival, specifically used to raise funds and utilize economic opportunities. Programs initiated as forms of community service were gradually incorporated into the various disciplines and became external income-generating programs. For example, academic preparatory programs that originally targeted a specific population group (e.g., discharged soldiers of oriental background and low socioeconomic status) became free programs open to everyone. Support programs for new immigrants became external education programs funded by ex-academic factors, thereby functioning as additional income-generating channels for the institutions. Community service activities, based on the ideology of distinction from academic operations, became incorporated into the academic units themselves, thus losing their ideological status and singularity. In 21st century Israel, community service continues to exist, but its form and motives are now different. Higher education institutions in Israel operate social-oriented programs primarily designed to support the institutions ’ economic survival, thus becoming part of economic business for all intents and purposes. The establishment of schools of healthcare professional training in higher education institutions, such as schools of medicine, nursing, speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy, is a prominent indication of the change in the goals of the academe and the universities ’ recognition of their obligation to address contemporary social needs.
PY - 2012/8
Y1 - 2012/8
N2 - Background: The present study focuses on the academic activities of a service-oriented department and the practical training it provides to students in the undergraduate physical therapy program. This profession has significant importance in Israel due to the large number of war and terrorist attack victims as well as the high rate of traffic accidents. In addition, ever-rising life expectancies are expanding the number of patients who need professional help. Objective: The research aims to analyze the satisfaction of department graduates with their academic training and practical experiences. Such information can be used to reinforce the connection between the department's teaching program and the students' final achievements as well as the conditions and terms of employment after graduation. Study group: The present study was based on a survey of 109 graduates of the Department of Physical Therapy at the Ariel University Center in Israel. Methods: Data were collected through an analytical crosssection survey administered online. Results: The findings point to the academe's contribution to practical work in the field. No correlation was found between graduates' profiles upon admission and their achievements in the program and at work, their studies toward advanced degrees, and their satisfaction with their training program and their work. Work condition was also identified as a factor that undermined work satisfaction. Conclusions: This case study points to the significance of a close association between the academe and the field in reducing the differences between students' final achievements in the program and their subsequent work conditions in the field.
AB - Background: The present study focuses on the academic activities of a service-oriented department and the practical training it provides to students in the undergraduate physical therapy program. This profession has significant importance in Israel due to the large number of war and terrorist attack victims as well as the high rate of traffic accidents. In addition, ever-rising life expectancies are expanding the number of patients who need professional help. Objective: The research aims to analyze the satisfaction of department graduates with their academic training and practical experiences. Such information can be used to reinforce the connection between the department's teaching program and the students' final achievements as well as the conditions and terms of employment after graduation. Study group: The present study was based on a survey of 109 graduates of the Department of Physical Therapy at the Ariel University Center in Israel. Methods: Data were collected through an analytical crosssection survey administered online. Results: The findings point to the academe's contribution to practical work in the field. No correlation was found between graduates' profiles upon admission and their achievements in the program and at work, their studies toward advanced degrees, and their satisfaction with their training program and their work. Work condition was also identified as a factor that undermined work satisfaction. Conclusions: This case study points to the significance of a close association between the academe and the field in reducing the differences between students' final achievements in the program and their subsequent work conditions in the field.
KW - Clinical training
KW - Graduates
KW - Integration in the workforce
KW - Work satisfaction
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/84871446190
U2 - 10.1515/ijdhd-2012-0028
DO - 10.1515/ijdhd-2012-0028
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AN - SCOPUS:84871446190
SN - 2191-1231
VL - 11
SP - 261
EP - 272
JO - International Journal on Disability and Human Development
JF - International Journal on Disability and Human Development
IS - 3
ER -