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.
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.
| Original language | English (Ireland) |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - May 2026 |
| Event | CoMH Learning and teaching showcase 2026 - College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland Duration: 5 Jun 2026 → 5 Jun 2026 |
Conference
| Conference | CoMH Learning and teaching showcase 2026 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Ireland |
| City | Cork |
| Period | 5/06/26 → 5/06/26 |
UN SDGs
This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
-
SDG 4 Quality Education
UCC Futures
- Future of Health
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