Date of Completion

2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy

Keywords

cultural competency, clinical competency, physical therapy, physical therapy interns

Abstract

In the clinical setting, a physical therapist must not only be skilled but also competent. To be clinically competent is to be equipped with the adequate knowledge while proficiently applying this information with well-developed skills, in patient-handling. Being culturally competent is imperative as a healthcare professional to meet needs of patients; yet the existing PT curriculum often emphasizes clinical skills over cultural awareness. Thus, this study aims to determine the correlation between the perceived levels of cultural and clinical competency of Batch 2025 DLSMHSI Physical Therapy Interns. Through a descriptive-correlational design, the study was administered via two modified and adapted survey questionnaires amongst Batch 2025 Physical Therapy students, which were disseminated onsite during the interns’ class hours. The participants scored a high level of cultural competency with female interns and those from rural areas performing better in terms of handling hostility or discomfort from cultural differences, whereas both participants demonstrated clinical competency to a very great extent, regardless of sex and hometown. Therefore, this study yielded a direct correlation between the perceived levels of cultural and clinical competency of Batch 2025 DLSMHSI Physical Therapy Interns. This underlines the importance of upbringing both clinical and cultural competencies in PT practice, which will better equip these practitioners in delivering a holistic approach within a multicultural healthcare environment.

First Advisor

JOANNA MARIE A. SALINAS, PTRP

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