Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice ›› 2026, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (10): 1233-1240.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2026.10.012

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Cultivation pathway for postgraduate students in rehabilitation therapy under the orientation of talent demand

Meng Tingting1,2, He Han2()   

  1. 1 School of Education, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, Liaoning 116029, China
    2 College of Health-Preservation and Wellness, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, China
  • Received:2026-05-08 Revised:2026-08-19 Accepted:2026-08-19 Published:2026-10-25 Online:2026-10-23
  • Contact: He Han E-mail:important365@126.com
  • Supported by:
    Ministry of Education Humanities and Social Sciences Foundation (Youth)(25YJC880071);Liaoning Provincial Educational Science Planning(JG26DA008)

Abstract:

Objective To analyze the matching relationship between postgraduate training system for rehabilitation therapy and real-world workforce requirements, and develop a demand-oriented postgraduate training pathway based on the World Health Organization rehabilitation competency framework (RCF).

Methods Policy document analysis, statistical analysis of publicly available recruitment data and trend analysis of rehabilitation service system development were adopted. Drawing on the RCF and its contextualized application, workforce demands for rehabilitation therapy professionals were sorted out in terms of demand scale, job hierarchy, service settings and specialty orientations. Against five competency domains defined by RCF, namely practice, professionalism, learning and development, management and leadership, and research, this study identified deficiencies within current postgraduate training and their impacts on job competency, and put forward optimized training strategies accordingly.

Results The demand for rehabilitation therapy professionals was featured by stratified job requirements, diversified service scenarios and interdisciplinary knowledge integration. Public hospitals constituted a major employer for master-level rehabilitation therapists. Core competencies for such posts included functional assessment and clinical reasoning, communication and collaboration, professionalism, continuous rehabilitation care, as well as evidence-based practice and research. It was needed to improve in aligning training objectives with real-world professional activities, matching curricula to multidisciplinary job demands, ensuring continuity of practical training, and building competency assessment and professional support systems.

Conclusion Job adaptability of master graduates in rehabilitation therapy relies on the integration of institutional employment needs, professional practice activities and progressive competency development. Four RCF-based modules, such as foundational core competencies, contextualized specialty tracks, continuous multi-setting practice and learning-research-quality improvement, can provide a structured solution for clinically-oriented postgraduate education.

Key words: rehabilitation therapy, postgraduate education, talent cultivation, medical-educational collaboration, rehabilitation competency framework

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