Twenty-five international students shared their experiences about physiotherapy placement in The Netherlands. Using a critical incident technique, we asked participants to recall events where participation was affected by an unforeseen situation, in or outside the clinic. Further, we explored students\' strategies of seeking support within their social network to overcome individual challenges. Two researchers applied thematic analysis to the interview data, following an iterative approach. Team discussions supported focused direction of data collection and analysis, before conceptualizing results.
Participants described a wide range of challenges. The scope and impact level of challenges varied widely, including intercultural differences, language barriers and inappropriate behaviour in the workplace, students\' personal context and wellbeing. Mechanisms employed by students to overcome these challenges depended on the type of event (personal or professional), making purposeful use of their available network.
Students involve clinical staff, peers, family and friends during placement abroad, to make deliberate use of their support network to overcome challenges in participation, whereas the academic network remains distant. Findings may help reflect on the roles and responsibilities of academic staff and other professionals involved with placements abroad. Healthcare programmes should ensure support before, during and after placement is within students\' reach.
■25名国际学生分享了他们在荷兰进行物理治疗的经验。使用关键事件技术,我们要求参与者回顾参与受到不可预见情况影响的事件,在诊所内外。Further,我们探索了学生在社交网络中寻求支持以克服个人挑战的策略。两名研究人员将主题分析应用于访谈数据,遵循迭代方法。小组讨论支持数据收集和分析的重点方向,在概念化结果之前。
■与会者描述了广泛的挑战。挑战的范围和影响程度差异很大,包括文化差异,语言障碍和工作场所的不当行为,学生的个人背景和福祉。学生用来克服这些挑战的机制取决于事件的类型(个人或专业),有目的地使用他们可用的网络。
■学生涉及临床工作人员,同行,在国外安置期间的家人和朋友,故意利用他们的支持网络来克服参与方面的挑战,而学术网络仍然遥不可及。研究结果可能有助于反思学术人员和其他参与海外实习的专业人士的角色和责任。医疗保健计划应确保之前的支持,在安置期间和之后,学生可以接触到。