Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:
The Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy program is fundamentally and profoundly dedicated to advancing human health, a cornerstone of the Sustainable Development Goals. The curriculum's philosophy is built upon producing compassionate, knowledgeable, and professional physical therapists who can promote, maintain, and restore health across the lifespan. The program's core is a direct and comprehensive embodiment of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), with every specialized course—from musculoskeletal and neurological to cardiopulmonary and pediatric physical therapy—aiming to improve quality of life and functional ability. By focusing on health promotion and community-based rehabilitation, the program also addresses health inequalities (SDG 10). As a professional degree, it provides exceptional SDG 4 (Quality Education), preparing graduates for meaningful careers that contribute to economic growth (SDG 8). The extensive clinical practice requirements are a model of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), creating a strong, collaborative network between the university and healthcare providers to serve the community.
Best Practices
The Bachelor of Science program in Physical Therapy of Khon Kaen University demonstrates a strategic commitment to health leadership, responding to the nation's urgent agenda of transitioning to an entirely aged society. The curriculum transforms learning from traditional hospital-based care to the creation of innovation and proactive, sustainable community practice. This is achieved through the integration of key experiential courses, such as Community Physical Therapy and Innovation, Technology, and Design in Physical Therapy, which encourage students to apply design thinking to address access to health services and improve the well-being of local older adults.
As a result, innovative assistive technologies for older people have been developed and piloted in Northeastern community networks, with at least 15 devices introduced in the past year. The program has also expanded proactive physical therapy services to more than 350 vulnerable older adults in its service areas. Empirical evaluation shows that older adults in these communities have improved self-reliance by an average of 12% according to the Barthel Index within six months.
The broader impact is the cultivation of graduates who are practitioners and health entrepreneurs in community health, using technology and innovation to reduce disparities in access to high-quality physical therapy. This strategy is closely aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through improving the quality of life for older adults in communities; SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) through the creation and application of medical and health innovations; and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through building strong collaborative networks with community partners and local agencies to expand sustainable health care. These outcomes reflect Khon Kaen University's tangible leadership in social responsibility.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-beingAlignment Summary: This program is the essence of SDG 3. Its entire focus is on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages through the practice of physical therapy. It equips students with the skills to prevent, assess, and treat a vast range of physical impairments and disabilities, helping to combat both non-communicable and communicable diseases and improve quality of life.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| PT223205 | Physical Therapy in Musculoskeletal Conditions I | Directly contributes to restoring health by teaching the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, a leading cause of disability worldwide (Target 3.4). |
| PT223206 | Physical Therapy in Neurological Conditions | Supports well-being by providing skills to rehabilitate individuals with neurological conditions like stroke or spinal cord injury, improving their function and participation in society (Target 3.4). |
| PT223207 | Physical Therapy in Cardiopulmonary Conditions | Aligns with the management of non-communicable diseases by teaching rehabilitation techniques for patients with heart and lung diseases, improving their health outcomes (Target 3.4). |
| PT224210 | Physical Therapy in Community | Promotes universal health coverage by training students to provide health promotion, disease prevention, and rehabilitation services directly within communities (Target 3.8). |
| PT224211 | Health Promotion | Focuses on preventing illness and promoting healthy lifestyles through education and exercise, which is a key component of ensuring healthy lives for all (Target 3.4). |
SDG 4: Quality EducationAlignment Summary: The program provides a high-quality, specialized education that prepares graduates for a demanding healthcare profession. It ensures students acquire the knowledge and skills for sustainable development through a curriculum that integrates advanced theory, evidence-based practice, research, and extensive clinical training.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| PT224801 | Research in Physical Therapy | Enhances education for sustainable development by equipping students with the skills to critically appraise and conduct scientific research, fostering lifelong learning and evidence-based practice (Target 4.7). |
| PT224792 | Clinical Practice in Physical Therapy 1 | Provides inclusive and equitable quality education by ensuring all students have access to extensive, supervised clinical training, which is essential for acquiring technical and vocational skills for employment (Target 4.4). |
| PT224793 - PT224797 | Clinical Practice in Physical Therapy 2-6 | Represents a comprehensive capstone learning experience that provides thousands of hours of practical training, ensuring graduates possess superior professional skills for their careers (Target 4.4). |
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic GrowthAlignment Summary: This program contributes to economic growth by producing highly skilled healthcare professionals who are essential to a productive workforce. It promotes decent work by instilling a strong sense of professional ethics, legal responsibilities, and management skills, preparing graduates for safe and meaningful employment in the healthcare sector.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| PT224701 | Administration and Legislation in Physical Therapy | Promotes decent work by ensuring graduates understand the legal framework and ethical standards of their profession, protecting labor rights and promoting a safe working environment (Target 8.8). |
| PT224792 - PT224797 | Clinical Practice in Physical Therapy 1-6 | Supports full and productive employment by providing extensive professional training that makes graduates highly employable and ready to contribute to the healthcare economy upon graduation (Target 8.5). |
SDG 10: Reduced InequalitiesAlignment Summary: The program actively works to reduce health inequalities by training physical therapists to care for diverse and vulnerable populations. Courses focused on pediatrics, geriatrics, and community-based services ensure that all members of society, regardless of age or social status, have access to rehabilitative care.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| PT224208 | Physical Therapy in Pediatric Conditions | Contributes to reducing inequalities by focusing on the health and well-being of children with disabilities, ensuring they have the opportunity to achieve their full potential (Target 10.2). |
| PT224209 | Physical Therapy in Geriatric Conditions | Addresses the needs of an aging population by providing skills to manage health conditions in older adults, promoting their social and physical inclusion (Target 10.2). |
| PT224210 | Physical Therapy in Community | Directly reduces health inequalities by teaching students how to provide accessible physical therapy services in community settings, reaching those who may have difficulty accessing hospital-based care (Target 10.3). |
SDG 17: Partnerships for the GoalsAlignment Summary: The entire structure of the program's clinical education is a powerful example of partnerships for the goals. The mandatory, extensive clinical practice courses represent a deep and ongoing collaboration between Khon Kaen University and a wide network of hospitals and healthcare facilities, all working together to build capacity in the national health system.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| PT224792 - PT224797 | Clinical Practice in Physical Therapy 1-6 | Represents a large-scale, multi-stakeholder partnership (Target 17.17) that leverages the combined expertise of academia and healthcare providers to train the next generation of physical therapists for the benefit of society. |