Development and Implementation of a Self-Care Plan for an Undergraduate Physiotherapy Curriculum in Switzerland: A Survey Study

Background: Mental health, including well-being, coping strategies, and resilience, is a crucial aspect of overall wellness. In higher healthcare education, students' mental well-being poses challenges for both learners and educators. While self-care is often emphasized in patient care during daily clinical practice, students' own self-care needs are frequently overlooked. Incorporating self-care practices into healthcare education has been shown to enhance well-being and reduce burnout. This study aimed to demonstrate the impact of self-care plans on the mental health of undergraduate physiotherapy students. Methods: This quasi-experimental study involved two undergraduate physiotherapy cohorts (n = 192). The intervention consisted of developing and implementing a self-care plan. Both cohorts were instructed on the self-care plan; however, Cohort 1 received the plan after their first clinical placement, while Cohort 2 received it beforehand via an instructional video. A survey assessed self-care, perfectionism, self-doubt, and idealized images of everyday hospital life. Descriptive analyses were conducted for all outcomes, with a binomial test evaluating self-care perceptions and Pearson chi-square tests comparing cohorts and clinical placement timing. Results: Eighty students completed the survey. Students' professional self-image in Cohort 1 became significantly less dependent on treatment success (χ 2 = 10.9, P = .012), and coping with self-doubt improved after the second clinical placement (χ 2 = 14.4, P = .001). After the second and third placement, 86% disagreed that clinical decision-making was difficult (χ 2 = 93.4, P < .001). A significant association was found between Cohort 1 and 2, with substantially more students in Cohort 2 understanding what a self-care plan was (P = .002). Conclusion: Video instructions and information about a self-care plan impacted undergraduate physiotherapy students in some assessed parameters. To ensure effective implementation, enhancing cognitive learning and self-awareness through increased contact hours and more practice sessions seems essential. Trial Registration: Study registration number REES: ID: #19600.1v1.