LOGICAL-DIDACTIC STRUCTURE OF THE ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE “SCIENTIFIC- EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES IN PHYSICAL THERAPY”

Abstract

The article presents and scientifically substantiates the logic-didactic structure of the academic discipline «Evidence- Based Practice in Physical Therapy» for undergraduate students majoring in specialty 227 «Therapy and Rehabilitation.» The relevance of the study is driven by the necessity to implement evidence-based healthcare principles into the clinical practice of rehabilitation specialists in accordance with current Ukrainian legislation and international standards. Based on a systemic analysis of the regulatory framework, content analysis of educational-professional programs, and identified methodological gaps, the authors propose an original three-level learning model. It encompasses methodologicalfundamental, instrumental-analytical, and clinical-implementation blocks, ensuring the consistent formation of research competence and evidence-based practice skills in physical therapy. The application of the «spiral curriculum» concept (after J. Bruner) is described, realized through the recurring review of core concepts in biostatistics, research design, and critical appraisal of publications at each new level of complexity. Particular attention is paid to identifying key nodal interconnections within the discipline’s structure, where the topic of evidence hierarchy and meta-analysis serves as the center for integrating theoretical knowledge into practical skills. It is suggested that such a course architecture allows students to master precision search tools in international databases (PubMed, Cochrane) and instruments for verifying the clinical effectiveness of interventions (PEDro, Jadad scales). The implementation of the proposed framework into the educational process is aimed at bridging the gap between theory and practice, fostering a high culture of scientific communication, and ensuring the clinical autonomy of future specialists in making informed clinical decisions.