Abstract

Background:Assessing curriculum across undergraduate healthcare education can be challenging with potential heterogeneity. Focus on a subset of healthcare may indicate variability in curriculum content. Knee articular cartilage and associated injury and repair procedures demand attention; debilitation and development of osteoarthritis severely affect patient quality of life. The level to which musculoskeletal (MSK) therapy education encompasses this area across disciplines is poorly understood. Objectives:To explore if UK MSK courses differ in articular cartilage content based on the final professional qualification. Design:Cross-sectional online questionnaire. Method:Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) database was searched to identify providers from: physiotherapy; osteopathy; chiropractic; sports therapy. A questionnaire was developed and invitation to engage sent to course personnel. Details of 16 specific articular cartilage and related course characteristics were captured. Questions were scored based on prevalence reported (0-16). Inter-professional differences between scores were explored using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U test. Results/findings:Seventy-six participants were identified from 107 providers. Eleven (14%) responses were received; physiotherapy (30%), sports therapy (30%), osteopathy (40%). Mean scores were 11.33, 13.67 and 8.5 respectively. No significant difference was found between scores based on profession/entry requirements; surgical repair elements scored significantly lower (p < 0.05). Conclusions:Findings provide indication of consistency of detail on articular cartilage in UK MSK undergraduate curriculum: post-surgery rehabilitation was not consistently represented; generic protocols were well-reported. Considerations for subsequent research are how to ensure student practitioners are provided with contemporary knowledge to provide patient-centred, evidence-based care through programme delivery.

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