International Evaluation of Rehabilitation Field Studies took place at the Faculty of Medicine of Kaunas University of Applied Sciences on 2, December. The study programmes of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy were evaluated. The International Commission was led by physiotherapist Dr. Raija Kuisma from Finland. The members of the International Commission were: occupational therapist Dr. Marie-Antoinette Hubertine Minis from Netherlands, physiotherapist Stephen Lungaro-Mifsud from Malta, social partner Tomas Sinevičius from Lithuania, and student representative from Turkey Ömer Faruk Sönmez. Evaluation coordinator Irma Dzikarienė, project manager of the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (SKVC).

First, the experts met with the administration of Kaunas University of Applied Sciences, then meetings with the self-assessment group, teaching staff, students, alumni and social partners took place. The experts were interested in the quality of studies and how it is ensured, how clinical practices are organized and how they took place during the quarantine period. Considerable attention was paid to students support assurance, both material and psychological. The experts were pleased that the Department of Rehabilitation maintains close contact with social partners, takes into account each other’s needs while improving the quality of studies.

The experts not only looked over the material resources and auditoriums of the studies, but also were invited to try the innovative technologies that are used in the study process. They commended that the equipment and devices are constantly updated and students are prepared taking into account the innovations in rehabilitation. They also familiarized themselves with students’ theses, final exam materials and assessment criteria.

At the end of the visit, a closed meeting of the expert group took place, after which the general conclusions were presented to the Faculty of Medicine community. The experts were delighted with the warm atmosphere and community spirit, excellent teaching-staff and social partners. They recommended to improve inter-institutional cooperation in the country, and to consider whether it would be useful for occupational therapists and physiotherapists to learn including more interdisciplinary study courses. The self-assessment group and teaching-staff are waiting for the final evaluation, so that even more attractive and high-quality studies would be available for students of Kaunas University of Applied Sciences.