An exploratory study of student satisfaction in podiatry degree programs in Malta.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to explore student satisfaction amongst students currently reading their BSc Podiatry course inside the Institute of Healthcare in the University of Malta.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD

An exploratory quantitative study was conducted on 19 Maltese BSc Podiatry students registered with the University of Malta. Upon consent each student was given an NSS/SSS questionnaire to answer and return anonymously to the secretary of the Podiatry Department.

RESULTS

The study's findings have concluded that current Podiatry students inside the University of Malta are satisfied (P=0.001) with the course program. More over, this study highlighted the fact that fourth year students seemed to be more satisfied with the course than the third year students. Males were more satisfied than females and age was not significant towards student satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study demonstrated that students are overall satisfied with the BSc Podiatry course currently running inside the University of Malta. However, mean scores have demonstrated that in a few course aspects students are less satisfied with the current provision. The results of this study will be disseminated to the Podiatry school inside the University of Malta in which this study took place and recommendations for practice will be suggested. It is hoped that following these suggestions, improvements to the course will be made where necessary to enhance student satisfaction.