Gilbert Hofmann, Tanja Persoglio LIFELONG LEARNING AMONG CROATIAN PHYSIOTHERAPY PROFESSIONALS

Introduction The aim of the study was to examine the attitudes towards professional development and lifelong learning among Croatian physiotherapy professionals. Facing the main goals of the INFuture 2015: Openness, Accessibility and Preservation, we feel that education and learning require a new approach.

Lifelong Learning Concept understands all learning activities, knowledge, skills and competences in personal, civil, social and professional pursuit. It seeks for individuals who are investing in their personal and professional development. Motivation together with opportunity are the strongest points in personal management.

Knowledge on the market The European Commision’s Memorandum on Lifelong Learning defines new skills that are required for an active participation in the society and knowledge economy: skills in IT, foreign languages, technological culture, entrepreneurship as well as a set of social skills. A new level of 21st century literacy is born.

Physiotherapy and Lifelong Learning Formal education is based on the Croatian Qualifications Framework (HKO). Lifelong learning follows after the completion of full- time education. Professional (non-formal) education available to physiotherapists takes form of: professional conferences, peer-group meetings that include a lecture, professional advisory sessions, courses and workshops, e-learning.

Research aim and methods The basic question is formed in the following hypothesis: ”There are statistically significant differences in the dependent variables which relate to lifelong learning with regard to five fundamental independent variables: sex, age, professional qualifications, years of service and institutions of employment”. Purpose was to examine the attitudes among physiotherapists towards lifelong learning.

The study used statistical descriptive correlation method. Empirical data were collected by a questionnaire that was created specifically for this study, and it was divided in two parts: 5 general questions (independent variables) and 5 statements (dependent variables) based on Likert scale criteria. Attitudes based on Likert scale (from 1 to 5).

Results 1271 representative respondents were included in the study, which is 77% of the defined population. Total number of employed professionals at institutions where the survey was conducted is This survey was carried out in 65 medical institutions at all healthcare levels in Croatia in the period from 1 October 2013 to 31 March 2014.

Differences in the responses by sex Statement Sex MSD 1I cover the entire cost of my education myself M3,791,21 F3,61,27 2 The employer is interested in my further training and encourages me to transfer/present knowledge to my colleagues M2,721,21 F2,741,18 3 I regularly read professional literature and use the internet to keep up with the latest developments in my line of work M3,711,01 F3,730,91 4 Command of foreign languages can help me in further training or education M4,210,87 F4,130,79 5 I think it is necessary for educational institutions to become more involved in the process of lifelong learning M40,84 F4,070,66

Differences in the responses by age StatementGroupMSD 1 I cover the entire cost of my education (seminars, trainings, lectures...) myself ,891, ,481, ,571,19 2 The employer is interested in my further training and encourages me to transfer/present knowledge to my colleagues ,861, ,641, ,741,22 3 I regularly read professional literature and use the internet to keep up with the latest developments in my line of work ,780, ,670, ,730,93 4 Command of foreign languages can help me in further training or education ,310, ,040, ,040,84 5 I think it is necessary for educational institutions to become more involved in the process of lifelong learning ,070, ,030, ,070,71

Differences in the responses by professional qualifications StatementGroupMSD 1 I cover the entire cost of my education (seminars, trainings, lectures...) myself. 1 3,971, ,771, ,411, ,131,088 2 The employer is interested in my further training and encourages me to transfer/present knowledge to my colleagues 1 2,681, ,71, ,81, ,811,047 3 I regularly read professional literature and use the internet to keep up with the latest developments in my line of work 1 4,060,95 2 3,760, ,610, ,440,964 4 Command of foreign languages can help me in further training or education 1 4,40, ,240, ,960, ,816 5 I think it is necessary for educational institutions to become more involved in the process of lifelong learning 1 4,230, ,10, ,940, ,060,574 GROUP: 1. graduate physical therapist; 2. bachelor of physiotherapy; 3. physiotherapy technician; 4. masseur

Differences in the responses by length of service StatementGroupMSD 1 I cover the entire cost of my education (seminars, trainings, lectures...) myself ,951, ,581, ,481, or more3,311,155 2 The employer is interested in my further training and encourages me to transfer/present knowledge to my colleagues 0-102,861, ,681, ,651, or more2,661,177 3 I regularly read professional literature and use the internet to keep up with the latest developments in my line of work 0-103,820, ,70, ,640, or more3,640,949 4 Command of foreign languages can help me in further training or education 0-104,350, ,120, ,040, or more3,910,822 5 I think it is necessary for educational institutions to become more involved in the process of lifelong learning 0-104,10, , ,040, or more4,010,688

Differences in the responses by place of work StatementGroupMSD 1 I cover the entire cost of my education (seminars, trainings, lectures...) myself. 1 3,441, ,061, ,831,259 2 The employer is interested in my further training and encourages me to transfer/present knowledge to my colleagues 1 2,711, ,611, ,121,468 3 I regularly read professional literature and use the internet to keep up with the latest developments in my line of work 1 3,720, ,610, ,930,833 4 Command of foreign languages can help me in further training or education 1 4,090,81 2 4,210, ,290,822 5 I think it is necessary that educational institutions become more involved in the process of lifelong learning 1 40,72 2 4,080, ,250,726 GROUP: 1. Founded by the regional government; 2. Founded by the central government; 3. Private institution

Discussion Attitudes towards lifelong learning Statement Attitude value based on Likert scale (%) MSD I cover the entire cost of my education (seminars, trainings, lectures...) myself 22,317,7603,651,254 2 The employer is interested in my further training and encourages me to transfer/present knowledge to my colleagues 41,229,529,32,741,185 3 I regularly read professional literature, and use the internet to keep up with the latest developments in my line of work 12,515,372,33,720,935 4 Command of foreign languages can help me in further training or education 4,28,9874,150,809 5 I think it is necessary for educational institutions to become more involved in the process of lifelong learning 2,413,384,34,050,709

Conclusion Only through the close cooperation, synergy and transparent actions of all stakeholders in the process of lifelong learning and career development-above all educational institutions, followed by employers, future employees and the healthcare and social system as a whole,can a clear purpose and direction be formed to serve as a foundation for the quality of profession and the society of knowledge and exellence.

Investing in human capital remains with the individuals who wish to prove to themselves, their peers and their employers that change is possible. Make possible both to work and study, students should be encouraged towards knowledge and information, working mobility should become a natural process, and scientific achievements not a wishfull thinking. Employers and employees should finally stand together. Are we as a society afraid of well educated and prominent individuals that tend to push barriers?