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Faculty of Health Sciences

Physiotherapy Program

Clinical Education

The Clinical Education component of the curriculum provides the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills students have learned in the academic setting. Students are supervised by licensed physiotherapists, who are referred to as clinical instructors during placements. Our clinical instructors help educate the students by sharing their professional and clinical expertise.

General Information

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Why is Clinical Education Important? Remarks from a Clinical Instructor and Alumni Learn More

Why is Clinical Education Important? Remarks from a Physiotherapy Second Year Student Learn More

Expandable List

 Placement Date Range  Placement Length  Clinical Practice Unit  Program Year
January – February 6 Weeks  Clinical Practice I (CP I)  Year 1
 June – August 7 Weeks  Clinical Practice II (CP II)  Year 1
October – December 7 Weeks  Clinical Practice III (CP III)  Year 2
 April – June 8 Weeks  Clinical Practice IV (CP IV)  Year 2

 

Placements in the McMaster catchment area are organized by the Director of Clinical Education (DCE) and the opportunities occur within a broad range and scope of settings. McMaster’s catchment area allows students to gain valuable clinical experience in both urban and rural areas. Students can expect to complete placements within all areas of the designated McMaster catchment. Students are responsible for their own transportation and associated costs in order to complete program requirements.

The McMaster catchment area extends:

  • West to Paris
  • East to Milton
  • North to Meaford
  • South to Niagara Region border
Map of McMaster’s Catchment Area

 

Should you wish to make a recommendation of a clinical facility within the McMaster catchment, please complete and submit the Clinical Facility Recommendation Form (PDF)

Each university has their own geographical catchment area from which they obtain placements. Students may request to complete a placement in other areas of Ontario and Canada. All costs incurred for out of catchment (OOC) placements are the responsibility of the student. Costs may include, but are not limited to, application fee, travel, relocation, accommodations, vaccinations, insurance, and food. The McMaster Physiotherapy Program does not provide funds to assist students to cover related costs.

Map of Catchment Areas for Ontario Universities with Physiotherapy Programs

 

Ontario Universities with Physiotherapy Programs:

  • Queen’s University
  • University of Ottawa
  • University of Toronto
  • University of Western Ontario

Non-Ontario Universities with Physiotherapy Programs:

  • Dalhousie University
  • McGill University
  • University of Alberta
  • University of British Columbia
  • Université Laval
  • University of Manitoba
  • Université de Montréal
  • University of Saskatchewan
  • Université de Sherbrooke

Students may have the opportunity to complete an international placement in their final clinical placement. All costs incurred for international placements are the responsibility of the student. Costs may include, but are not limited to, application fee, travel, relocation, accommodations, vaccinations, insurance, food. The McMaster Physiotherapy Program does not provide funds to assist the student to cover related costs.

Placement Process

Placement offers for Clinical Practice I – IV can be submitted at any time throughout the year by completing a survey. Click here to submit a placement offer.

In order to provide excellent clinical experiences for our students, we have the following guidelines for physiotherapists that are interested in supervising students for clinical placements:

  • Be licensed and in good standing with a recognized College of Physiotherapists
  • Agree to abide by McMaster University policies and procedures
  • Comply with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario Standards of Professional Practice, especially regarding Clinical Education

The Placement Process:

  1. Placement request emails are sent to clinical sites within the McMaster University catchment area 4-5 months prior to the start of placement.
  2. The Director of Clinical Education (DCE) follows up with the clinical sites ensuring an appropriate number of placement offers have been provided and attempts to ensure there are enough offers in each setting to meet student needs. Students may not make personal arrangements with clinical sites, clinical instructors, or with clinical coordinators without written permission from the DCE.
  3. As placements are confirmed they are posted for students to view. Each student is assigned to an area of practice (i.e. community, rehabilitation, hospital/acute).
  4. Eligible students select and submit their placement preferences online based on the assigned area of practice.
  5. Students are matched to a placement considering their placement preferences and clinical requirements.
  6. Once the placement matching process has been completed, students are able to view the results. Students are provided the opportunity to apply to switch placements with a classmate or to switch into an unassigned placement offer.
  7. Once all placements are finalized, clinical sites are notified with their student assignment. Students are informed that they are able to contact their clinical site.

Separate processes are in place for out of catchment, Northern Studies Stream, and international placements.

Northern Studies Stream

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Northern Study Stream (NSS) Student Testimonial Learn More

Northern Study Stream (NSS) Student Testimonial Learn More

The Northern Studies Stream (NSS) was established in 1991 to specifically address the shortage of OTs, PTs, and SLPs in Northwestern Ontario through various recruitment and retention initiatives. The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) coordinates student placements across northern Ontario for a multitude of health disciplines.

The goals of the current NSS are below:

    • Increasing students’ awareness and knowledge of the determinants of health unique to Northern and rural communities
    • Increasing students’ awareness of Indigenous and Francophone health concerns and practices
    • Providing students with the skills required for the unique practice of rural and remote healthcare
    • Fostering the recruitment and retention of OTs, PTs and SLPs to Northern Ontario, including rural and remote practice areas
    • Providing clinical teaching support to preceptors, program educators and other clinicians in Northern Ontario
    • Building partnerships between rehabilitation professionals, McMaster, NOSM and the local community
    • Fostering inter-institutional research collaboration and projects

With 25 years of documented success, the current NSS is focused on providing clinical education opportunities for students across northern Ontario. Approximately 50% of students in the PT Program will have the opportunity to participate in clinical education placements in Northern Ontario.

Students who are Northern Ontario residents will be given priority for placements, however, any student, regardless of residency, may apply. Funding for travel and accommodation is available, to a maximum cost paid for by the NSS, through funding made available by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.