Development of a digital badge: leadership in physiotherapy
Loading...
Date
2026-05-06
Authors
Hanrahan, Ciara
Mcveigh, Joseph
Hill, Maria
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Published Version
Abstract
Background This digital badge in leadership proposes to enhance the MSc Physiotherapy curriculum by offering second year students an innovative and flexible method to develop leadership competencies. The badge, designed for students, recognises the importance of inclusivity and leadership as core competencies for physiotherapists in clinical practice. Aims The badge aims to prepare physiotherapy students for future roles through integrated leadership theory and reflective practice. Methods Learning outcomes were mapped to Health Services Executive (HSE) strategies, University College Cork (UCC) graduate attributes and values, Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP) policies and CORU standard of proficiency. Healthcare leadership theories such as collaborative leadership, transformational leadership, value-based leadership and emotional intelligence will inform the students learning. MSc physiotherapy students, leadership experts and adjunct lecturer colleagues (physiotherapy managers) were consulted on the development of the badge. Teaching will be delivered by UCC faculty and adjunct lecturers incorporating principles of universal design for learning (UDL) with flexible online learning accompanied by submission of a final proposal for a leadership theory-informed service initiative. Results The badge was approved by UCC digital badge sub-committee in December 2025, for roll-out January 2027. A survey of MSc physiotherapy students will be carried out pre and post enrolment in order to evaluate the quality of the badge. Conclusion The aim of this badge is to creatively support MSc physiotherapy students build readiness for leadership roles by translating leadership theory into practice. The badge will be evaluated by surveying the students pre and post enrolment.
Description
© 2026, the Authors.
Keywords
Future of Health , SDG 4 - Quality Education , Digital Badge , Leadership in physiotherapy , [Chemistry] , Health Professions (all)
Citation
Hanrahan, C, Mcveigh, J & Hill, M 2026, 'Development of a digital badge: leadership in physiotherapy', CoMH Learning and teaching showcase 2026, Cork, Ireland, 5/06/26 - 5/06/26 pp. 1.
conference
conference
Link to publisher’s version
Collections
Copyright
unspecified