THE CHALLENGES, STRATEGY, AND ACCEPTABILITY IN THE ONLINE LEARNING OF PHYSICAL THERAPY STUDENTS; A CORRELATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the shift to online learning posed significant challenges for Physical Therapy (PT) students, as their education traditionally relies on hands-on skills and in-person clinical practice. This study aimed to explore the challenges, strategies, and acceptability of online learning among PT students at the Manila Central University College of Physical Therapy (MCNP). Using a Descriptive Correlational Design, the research employed a questionnaire combining Likert scales and checklists to collect data on demographic profiles, challenges faced, coping strategies, and students' perceptions of remote learning. Stratified random sampling was used to select participants, and data were gathered via an online survey distributed through social media platforms. The analysis included frequency counts, percentage distributions, means for challenges, strategies, and acceptability, as well as One-Way ANOVA to examine differences based on profile variables, and Pearson’s correlation to assess relationships between challenges, strategies, and acceptability. The results showed that environmental, physical, and social factors significantly impacted the challenges students experienced, and while students developed strategies to cope with these challenges, the overall acceptability of online learning remained relatively low. A moderate correlation was found between strategies and acceptability, suggesting that while strategies were employed to manage online learning, students' satisfaction with the experience was still limited. The study provides insights into the difficulties faced by PT students in adapting to online education and underscores the importance of addressing these challenges to improve the remote learning experience. The findings highlight the need for administrators, clinical instructors, and students to collaborate in developing effective strategies that can better support PT students in navigating online learning during such disruptions, ensuring that essential hands-on skills and clinical training are not compromised. Keywords: Physical Therapy, online learning, challenges, strategies, COVID-19.