Physiotherapy Undergraduates’ Expectations of Online Courses: A Qualitative Study

Authors

  • Harikrishnan Ranganathan Centre for Healthy Ageing and Wellness, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7743-4590
  • Saravana Kumar UniSA Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4003-4411
  • Shobha Sharma Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
  • Chua Siew Kuan Faculty of Science, Lincoln University College, Malaysia.
  • Nabilah Binti Ahmad Sport Science Programme, Faculty of Educational Studies, University Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3377-9711
  • Kamalambal Harikrishnan St. Francis International School, Chennai, India. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0152-4378
  • Devinder Kaur Ajit Singh Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6551-0437

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56059/jl4d.v12i3.1621

Keywords:

online course, physiotherapy undergraduates, expectations, focus group discussions

Abstract

Online learning has become an integral part of higher education, but many online courses fail to meet undergraduates' expectations, leading to high attrition rates. In this study, we explored physiotherapy undergraduates’ (PTUGs) expectations of online courses. A qualitative study was conducted using purposive sampling among PTUGs from four universities. Five focus group discussions were conducted, involving 34 PTUGs. Thematic content analysis identified main themes, including motivation to complete the course, pre-course training, content delivery methods, the role of course facilitators, course communication, and evaluation strategies. PTUGs' expectations for practical topics, varied in terms of course content and delivery. They preferred online courses with multiple components tailored to their needs. The use of videos for content delivery and conventional methods for skill evaluation were the most preferred approaches. The findings of this study could inform the design and development of future online courses in physiotherapy.

 

 

Author Biographies

Harikrishnan Ranganathan, Centre for Healthy Ageing and Wellness, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Harikrishnan Ranganathan is an Associate professor at SRM college of Physiotherapy, Kattankulathur, India. He completed his PhD in physiotherapy at the National University of Malaysia in 2024. He has been an academician for more than 16 years. His research team received copyrights from Intellectual Property of Malaysia for the videos developed for the online course on Non Specific Low Back Pain. Dr. Harikrishnan’s research interests include the spine, physiotherapy education, Gen Z teaching and learning, physical activity and qualitative research. Email: hari4physio@gmail.com (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7743-4590)

Saravana Kumar, UniSA Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia

Saravana Kumar is the Professor of Allied Health and Health Services Research at Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia. Professor Kumar is an internationally recognised leader in the areas of allied health, health services research and evidence translation/implementation. Professor Kumar’s research, in partnership with health care stakeholders, has made important contributions to improving the quality and safety of health care and in that process has changed the way in which the health system operates. Email: saravana.kumar@unisa.edu.au (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4003-4411)

Shobha Sharma, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Assoc. Prof. Dr Shobha Sharma is a speech-language therapist by training. She is an associate professor at the speech sciences program and a research fellow at H-Care, under the Faculty of Health Sciences of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. She received her first Master`s degree from the University of Malaya in voice disorders and her second in adult swallowing disorders from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. She then completed her PhD at The University of Queensland in telerehabilitation in swallowing disorders in 2012. Her areas of research include swallowing disorders in adults and geriatric populations, voice disorders, dementia care and telepractice. Email: shobha.sharma@ukm.edu.my (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3396-7053)

Chua Siew Kuan, Faculty of Science, Lincoln University College, Malaysia.

Chua Siew Kuan is a physiotherapist by training. She received her Master of Manipulative Physiotherapy at The Hong Kong Polytehnic University, and completed her PhD at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. She is experienced in teaching postgraduate musculoskeletal courses and supervises postgraduate research. Her research includes osteoporotic risk fracture, and musculoskeletal spine pain. Email: chuasiewkuan@segi.edu.my (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5414-470X)

Nabilah Binti Ahmad, Sport Science Programme, Faculty of Educational Studies, University Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia.

Nabilah Binti Ahmad has a strong background as a Disability Management Specialist and currently serves as the Team Lead of Research and Development at the Social Security Organization (PERKESO). Nabilah brings extensive expertise that bridges both the practical and academic dimensions of her field. Having previously served as a Physiotherapy Lecturer, she has a deep understanding of rehabilitation and education. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy and a Master’s in Education specialising in Sport Science, Nabilah effectively integrates clinical knowledge with educational innovation. Her passion, commitment, and multidisciplinary expertise drive her to shape future professionals and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of disability management and rehabilitation research. Email: nabiellah87@gmail.com (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3377-9711)

Kamalambal Harikrishnan, St. Francis International School, Chennai, India.

Kamalambal Harikrishnan is an educator in St. Francis International School, Chennai, India. She completed her Master’s in the field of Mathematics and education. She is interested in research related to various methods of teaching and learning among students and online education. Email: kamalihari2312@gmail.com (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0152-4378)

Devinder Kaur Ajit Singh, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Professor Dr. Devinder Kaur Ajit Singh is a professor in the Physiotherapy Programme, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. She brings extensive clinical and educational experience and is a recognized leader in geriatric physiotherapy and physiotherapy education research in Malaysia. Her primary research interests include geriatric physiotherapy, spine and ageing, functional analysis, and physiotherapy teaching and learning. Email: devinder@ukm.edu.my (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6551-0437)

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Published

2025-11-18

How to Cite

Ranganathan, H., Kumar, S., Sharma, S., Kuan, C. S., Binti Ahmad, N., Harikrishnan, K., & Singh, D. K. A. (2025). Physiotherapy Undergraduates’ Expectations of Online Courses: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Learning for Development, 12(3), 573–598. https://doi.org/10.56059/jl4d.v12i3.1621

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 3 (2025): ISSUE 3

Section

Research Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Harikrishnan Ranganathan, Saravana Kumar, Shobha Sharma, Chua Siew Kuan, Nabilah Binti Ahmad, Kamalambal Harikrishnan, Devinder Kaur Ajit Singh

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Received 2024-07-28
Accepted 2025-09-14
Published 2025-11-18