Exploring barriers, advantages and potentials in realising clinical education in private physiotherapy practice settings in Germany

Background: Traditionally, the clinical education of physiotherapy students in Germany takes place in inpatient settings. Against the background that the majority of graduated physiotherapists work in private settings like private practices, this education structure is no longer viable. Therefore, there is a need to develop models of cooperation between private practice and schools of physiotherapy. Aim: The aim of this study is to describe advantages, barriers and options of collaboration between physiotherapy educational institutions and private practices. Methods: A qualitative interview study was conducted, in which two practice owners of a physiotherapy practice and two programme directors were interviewed using a problem-centred interview approach. All participants were contacted via email or telephone. Textual data was analysed using thematic analysis, to inductively discover and describe relevant themes. Results: The economic conditions of private practices in Germany, legal requirements and training regulations are identified as the main barriers preventing forms of collaboration. One of the advantages of offering students practical placements is their probable future employment. Successful collaboration may depend on remunerating clinical instruction time, relaxing legal requirements or increasing the participation of schools in practical training. Conclusion: Private practice needs financial and content-related support to engage in clinical education. Health insurance companies or the government could act as financial sponsors.