From Anatomy to Action: Integrating Environmental Awareness in Physiotherapy Education at Oman College of Health Sciences

Environmental Physiotherapy in Oman’s Educational Context

Physiotherapy education in Oman is undergoing a transformative shift. Oman College of Health Sciences (OCHS) witnessed the emergence of environmental consciousness within the Omani national agenda, especially under Oman Vision 2040, which prioritizes environmental sustainability and health (Vision 2040, 2024). The governmental vision aligns with both the Ministry of Health’s sustainable health vision and the World Health Organization’s Geneva Charter for Well-being (WHO, 2021).

Where and How We Integrate Environmental Physiotherapy

Environmental and planetary health concepts are integrated into the curriculum at OCHS at various levels of education, with courses covering basic sciences, human physiology, kinesiology, cardiorespiratory, continuous professional development, lifespan health and fitness, orthopaedics, community rehabilitation and clinical reasoning sessions, and more. These courses emphasize the interconnectedness between human function, health, wellbeing and environmental factors, and the role of environmental energy sources in supporting muscular and neurological function.

Human physiology focuses on the impact of environmental stressors on homeostasis and disease progression. Biomechanics and kinesiology teach students about terrain variability, climate conditions, and gravitational forces on gait patterns, posture, and joint loading. Cardiorespiratory courses broaden the concept of breathing beyond physiological mechanisms, examining the ecological determinants of respiratory health and exploring the effects of natural environments on pulmonary rehabilitation outcomes and resilience.

Continuous Professional Development (CPD) courses emphasize the importance of lifelong learning on emerging environmental and planetary health issues and their implications for physiotherapy practice. These courses empower students and practicing physiotherapists to remain updated on evidence linking environmental exposures to health outcomes and integrate sustainable practices into patient education, clinical decision-making, and professional advocacy.

Clinical reasoning and rehabilitation courses focus on students’ clinical reasoning competencies while increasing awareness of environmental factors that can influence clinical decisions, treatment plans, and overall outcomes. Lifespan health and fitness, orthopaedics courses recognize that social and environmental elements can have just as much impact on a patient’s condition as medical details. Outdoor physical activity is recommended not only for MSK rehabilitation but also for ecological engagement and mental well-being.

Munira Al Mahrouqi (PT, PhD)

Senior physiotherapy lecturer, Oman College of Health Sciences

As a senior physiotherapy lecturer at Oman College of Health Sciences, Munira contributes to curriculum reform and institutional committees. She is engaged in integrating environmental sustainability into physiotherapy education, fostering eco-conscious healthcare through pedagogical development, scholarly activity, and institutional collaboration.

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Photo by Daniele Levis Pelusi on Unsplash

From Concept to Campus Culture: Institutional and Extracurricular Initiatives

Beyond the classroom, EPT ideals are embedded in OCHS institutional culture. An Environmental and Sustainability Committee for the health sciences programs was proposed last year and is currently under administrative development. Posters promoting environmentally sustainable practices in physiotherapy clinics have been disseminated to local facilities. In partnership with student services, flyers encouraging reusable bottles distributed in partnership with student services; conservation signage added in OCHS health sciences Building.

The OCHS Physiotherapy Program participated in the second “Silver Steps” initiative, organized by the Ministry of Health and the Oman Association for Elderly Health, on October 5, 2024, in line with Oman Vision 2040. The event, launched in celebration of the International Day of the Elderly under the themes “Together to Fight Alzheimer’s,” “Health is Everyone’s Responsibility,” and “Together to Promote Physical Activity for the Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases.”

Further underscoring its commitment to environmental responsibility, OCHS faculty members have registered to participate in Oman Sustainability Week, scheduled for May 11, 2025.

Photo by Arisa S. on Unsplash

Evaluation and Reflections

While a formal survey or structured feedback system has not yet been implemented, informal observations and classroom interactions suggest that students are responding positively to the integration of environmental physiotherapy concepts. Reflections and case analyses increasingly reference environmental sustainability, pollution, and the importance of equitable access to healthy environments.

Practical teaching tools, such as concept mapping and vector diagrams, help prompt students to explore the environmental dimensions of health more critically. Nonetheless, challenges remain. Staff capacity, the need for training for academic staff, and access to contextualized teaching materials are ongoing barriers. To address these barriers, we plan faculty seminars in partnership with national institutions and environmental stakeholders as well as participation in EPA-led global discussions.

Next Steps we are aiming at

Launching an interdisciplinary sustainability audit of campus practices.

Encourage professional discussions and formal research on the impact of environmental factors on rehabilitation outcomes in Oman.

Coordinating with national stakeholders like be’ah, the Environment Authority, and the German University of Technology in Oman to co-host faculty development seminars.

References

Header image by Niklas Weiss on Unsplash

WHO. (2021). Geneva Charter for Well-being. https://www.who.int/initiatives/geneva-charter-for-well-being