An analysis of social competences of professionally active physiotherapists in southeastern Poland – a pilot study

• Authors: Agnieszka Beata Ćwirlej-Sozańska , Agnieszka Wiśniowska-Szurlej , Gabriela Kołodziej , Katarzyna Chmura , Danuta Ochojska , Anna Wilmowska-Pietruszyńska , Bernard Sozański
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Introduction Social competence is the basis of professional potential and has to be understood as complex abilities that determine the effectiveness of dealing with social situations. The aim of this work was an assessment of social competences found in professionally active physiotherapists working in Poland. Material and methods The study involved 121 physiotherapists: 32 men and 89 women, aged 25 to 49 years. We used Social Competences Questionnaire by Anna Matczak (KKS-A(D) to assess the level of social competence. Results The study revealed that physiotherapists had a good level of social competence. 44.63% of the study population had average general social competence, and 14.05% had high general social competence. A significant proportion of the study population, had low level of social competence (41.32%). The level of competence in dealing with situations that involved intimacy, social contacts and assertiveness was similar. We found that younger physiotherapists coped better in intimate situations. Studied therapists who were eager to listen to their patients’ problems scored significantly higher on the competence scale that reflected effective behavior in social situations. Conclusions Social competence of a therapist is an essential condition for them building appropriate rapport with patients, gives patients a sense of safety, and therefore significantly affects the effectiveness of the treatment.

Keywords

EN

social competence; physiotherapist; professional work

• Journal: Advances in Rehabilitation
• Year: 2019
• Volume: 33
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 5-14

Dates

published

2019-04-11

Contributors

author

Agnieszka Beata Ćwirlej-Sozańska

author

Agnieszka Wiśniowska-Szurlej

author

Gabriela Kołodziej

author

Katarzyna Chmura

author

Danuta Ochojska

author

Anna Wilmowska-Pietruszyńska

author

Bernard Sozański

References

• Akinpelu AO, Gbiri CA, Oyewole OO. Nigerian physiotherapists’ perceptions of their profession’s prestige and implications. Hong Kong Physiother J. 2011;29:71-8.
• Chung S. A comparison of the social standing of design professions in Korea and Australia. Design Studies. 1999;20:381-96.
• Whitfield TWA, Allison I. Perception of the physiotherapy professions: a comparative study. Physiother Theory Pract. 1995;1:39–48.
• Turner P. The occupational prestige of physiotherapy: perception of student physiotherapists in Australia. Aust J Physiother. 2001;47:191-7.
• Professional self-government in a democratic state of law. Senate of the Republic of Poland.
• Matczak A. Questionnaire of Social Competences (KKS). Manual. Warsaw: Laboratory of Psychological Tests of the Polish Psychological Association; 2007. p. 6-7.
• Greenspan S. Defining childhood social competence: a proposed working model. In: Keogh BK, editors. Advances in special education. JAI Press Greenwich: 1981; 3: 1–3.
• Gadecka W, Pikorz-Ogórek K, Regin KJ, Kowalski IM. Social competence of mental health nurses. Pol Ann Med. 2015;22(2);105-109.
• Chantal Camden LM, Rivard K, Hurtubise L, Héguy JB. Can a Community of Practice Improve Physical Therapists’ Self-Perceived Practice in Developmental Coordination Disorder? Phys Ther. 2017; 97(7): 746–55.
• Han J, LaMarra D, Vapiwala N. Applying lessons from social psychology to transform the culture of error disclosure. Med Edu. 2017;51(10):996-1001.
• Bernburg M, Baresi L, Groneberg D, Mache S. Does psychosocial competency training for junior physicians working in pediatric medicine improve individual skills and perceived job stress. Europ J Pediatr. 2016;175(12):1905-12.
• Kurunsaari M, Tynjälä P, Piirainen A. Vocations and Learning. 2018;11: 1.
• Verlinde E, De Leander N, De Maesschalck S, Deveugele M, Willems S. The social gradient in doctor-patient communication. Int J Equity Health. 2012; 11:12: 1-14.
• Shipman B. The role of Communications in the patient-physician relationship. J Leg Med. 2010; 31(4):433-42.
• Derkacz M, Chmiel-Perzyńska I, Kowal A, Grywalska E. Understanding doctors’ recommendations - an underestimated problem in the daily practice of a family doctor. Fam Med Prim Care Rev. 2010; 12 (3): 618-21.
• Sabate E. Adherence to long-term therapies: evidence for action. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2003.
• Zaborniak-Sobczak M, Walicka-Cupryś K, Ćwirlej-Sozańska A, Drzał-Grabiec J, Truszczyńska A. Social competence of physiotherapists. Adv Rehab. 2014;2:5-12.
• Ochojska D. Individual predispositions and students’ educational and professional decisions. Analysis of personal and social competences of students of selected fields of study. In: Fechner NA, Zduniak A, editors. Education of the 21st century. Subjects, environments and educational areas. Challenges and threats of the middle of the 21st century. Poznań: Publisher of Higher Security School; 2015. p. 525-535.
• Weare K. Promoting Mental, Emotional and Social health: A Whole School Approach. Londyn: Routledge 2000: 2-6.
• Strelau J. Human intelligence. Warsaw: Żak; 1997.
• Thorndike RM. Orgins of intelligence and its measurement. J Psychol Assess. 1990; 8: 223–30.
• Jakubowska U. Around the concept of “social competence” - a communication approach. Prz Psychol. 1996; 39: 29-40.
• Tychmanowicz A, Kuśpit M. Social competences of health service workers. Pilot study. Prog Health Sci. 2012;2(1):107-12.
• Mroczek B, Zarek A, Kurpas D, Wolińska W, Pawlak I, Dyk T, Kotwas A, Kurpas D. Social competence of physicians and medical students – a preliminary report. Family Med Prim Care Rev. 2016;(3):308-12.
• Arteche A, Chamorro-Premuzic T, Furnham A, Crump J. The relationship of trait EI with personality, IQ and sex in UK sample of employees. Int J Select Assess. 2008;16: 421-6.
• Hamelin ND, Nikolis A, Armano J, Harris PG, Brutus JP. Evaluation of factors influencing confidence and trust in the patient-physician relationship: A survey of patient in a hand clinic. Chir Main. 2012; 31(2): 83-90.
• Khan TM, Hassali MA, Al-Haddad MSM. Patient-physician Communication Barrier: A Pilot Study Evaluating Patient Experiences. J Young Pharmacists. 2011; 3(3): 250-5.
• Crutchfield T, Morgan R. Building Long-Term Patient-Physician Relationships. Health Mark Q. 2010;27(3):215.
• Salzmann-Erikson M, Dahlén J. Nurses’ Establishment of Health Promoting Relationships: A Descriptive Synthesis of Anorexia Nervosa Research. J Child Family Studies. 2017;26(1):1.
• Alberti RE, Emmons ML. Your perfect right: assertiveness and equality in your life and relationships. 9th ed. Atascadero, CA: Impact; 2008.
• Boone BN, King ML, Gresham LS, Wahl P, Suh E. Conflict management training and nurse-physician collaborative behaviors. J Nurses Staff Dev. 2008;24(4):168-75.
• Shimizu T, Kubota S, Mishima N, Nagata S. Relationship between self-esteem and assertiveness training among Japanese hospital nurses. J Occup Health.2004;46(4):296–8
• Wołoszczak‑Szubzda A, Jarosz MJ. Selected aspects of a professional doctor–patient communication – education and practice. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2013; 20(2): 373–9.
• Jankowska K, Pasierski T. Medical communication: a core medical competence. Pol Arch Med Wewn. 2014; 124(7–8): 350–35.
• Blazun H, Kokol P, Vosner J. Survey on specific nursing competences: Students’ perceptions. Nurse Educ Pract. 2015;15:359-65.
• Bishop FL, Smith R, Lewith GT. Patient preferences for technical skills versus interpersonal skills in chiropractors and physiotherapists treating low back pain. Fam Pract. 2013;30(2):197-203.
• Bidaut-Russell M, Gabriel SE, Scott CG, Zinsmeister, Luthra HS, Yawn B. Determinants of patient satisfaction in chronic illness. Arthritis Rheum. 2002; 15,47(5):494-500.
• Woźnica D. Analysis of the opinions of medical community and patients regarding legal regulations on the profession of physiotherapist in Poland. Adv Rehab. 2018; 1:13 – 19.

Identifiers

DOI

10.5114/areh.2019.84183