Saudi physiotherapists report favorable perceptions of micro-learning in cross-sectional survey

Saudi Arabian registered physiotherapists reported favorable perceptions of micro-learning modules for perceived usefulness, ease of use, knowledge retention and clinical decision-making in a cross-sectional online survey. The abstract reports that prior use of micro-learning and higher technical proficiency were associated with more positive perceptions, while the survey also identified a dose–response pattern with increased exposure. These findings concern participants’ reported perceptions rather than objectively measured changes in knowledge or clinical performance.

The study included 168 registered physiotherapist participants in Saudi Arabia, recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. Most participants were aged 18–24 years (54.2%), and 73.8% were female. Researchers administered an online questionnaire containing 20 Likert-scale items drawn from validated Technology Acceptance Model subscales covering perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, knowledge retention and clinical decision-making. The reported Cronbach’s alpha values were at least 0.80, indicating strong internal consistency for the questionnaire measures.

Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance and Pearson correlation coefficients, with p < 0.05 used as the significance threshold. Participants reported highly positive perceptions across all four domains. Prior micro-learning use and greater technical proficiency were each associated with more favorable perceptions at p < 0.001, with reported Cohen’s d values ranging from 0.50 to 0.90. A dose–response relationship was also observed between increased exposure to micro-learning and the reported perceptions.

Associations among the measured constructs ranged from r = 0.622 to r = 0.779, all reported at p < 0.0001. Perceived knowledge retention and perceived clinical decision-making were strongly correlated, with r = 0.760. The range across all reported correlations reached r = 0.779, so the knowledge-retention and clinical-decision-making result should be understood as one of the strong associations rather than the single largest correlation reported in the abstract.

The abstract concludes that physiotherapists perceive micro-learning as a practical and effective approach for professional development, with prior exposure and technical proficiency identified as key predictors of acceptance. However, the evidence comes from a cross-sectional online survey in one country using non-random recruitment. Perceptions of knowledge retention and clinical decision-making are not equivalent to objectively measured learning gains or changes in clinical decisions, and the design cannot establish that micro-learning caused the reported associations. The published version is also described as an early version of record that may undergo further editorial changes.

Subject of Research: Physiotherapists’ perceptions of micro-learning for professional development in Saudi Arabia

Article Title: Perceptions of micro-learning modules on knowledge retention and clinical decision-making among physiotherapists: a cross-sectional study

Article References: Shalabi, K. M., Alsharif, Z. A., Almubarak, K. M., Almalki, R. A., Almathami, S. H., Alhakami, B. A., & Almurdi, M. M. (2026). Perceptions of micro-learning modules on knowledge retention and clinical decision-making among physiotherapists: a cross-sectional study. BMC Medical Education. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-026-10485-3

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s12909-026-10485-3

Keywords: micro-learning, physiotherapy, Saudi Arabia, cross-sectional survey, knowledge retention, clinical decision-making, Technology Acceptance Model, continuing professional development, Perceptions, modules, knowledge, retention