San Justo, Argentina

Active Learning and EBP Competency in Undergraduate Physiotherapy

This quasi-experimental study without a control group will be conducted at the Universidad Nacional de La Matanza (UNLaM), Argentina, between March and July 2025. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention based on active learning strategies on evidence-based practice (EBP) competencies among physiotherapy students. The intervention was implemented as part of a four-month Research Methods course and included weekly group-based activities such as literature retrieval, critical appraisal, oral presentations, peer feedback, and structured assessments using rubrics. The course aimed to strengthen students' beliefs, attitudes, perceived skills, and frequency of use related to EBP. Outcomes were assessed using a custom-developed and validated questionnaire covering four domains and key competencies in EBP. Secondary outcomes included academic engagement, measured with the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale - Student Version (UWES-S), and student satisfaction, assessed through the Student Outcomes Survey. Data collection occurred at baseline, at the end of the course, and one week after completion. The study followed TREND reporting guidelines and was approved by the institutional research ethics committee at UNLaM.