Full document - International Hospital Federation

Innovation and clinical specialities: physical therapy
cultural, and political environments in which physical therapist
education is conducted. Professional education equips physical
therapists with the appropriate knowledge and skills to practise in
a variety of settings, as well as promoting the value of practising in
these settings. Internationally, the qualification to enter the physical
therapy profession ranges from diploma to professional doctoral
degree.
With today’s level of physical therapist education, the research
base for physical therapy has been expanded, supporting
evidence-based practice. WCPT supports its member
organisations as they develop new education programmes and
revise existing programmes. It has done this by developing
documents outlining the curriculum for entry level physical therapy
education (WCPT 2007a), standards for physical therapy practice
(WCPT 2007b) and guidelines for accreditation of physical therapy
programmes (WCPT in preparation).
Sufficient education programmes with qualified faculty
particularly in low resource countries, is an impediment to ensuring
adequate supply of physical therapists in these countries. WCPT
uses its network to raise awareness of the need to recruit faculty
members to work with local faculty in underserved areas on the
development and sustainability of programmes.
Resources for continuing education and development are a
challenge for the profession. One key way to foster retention is to
offer opportunities for physical therapists to continue postprofessional
education studies even as they continue working in
rural areas. WCPT’s focus on this issue through online courses,
courses on DVDs and other initiatives will help to meet these
education needs particularly where populations are least well
served.
Physical therapy service delivery
Underserved areas
In addressing the challenges of attracting physical therapists to
underserved areas, WCPT has supported its member
organisations by working alongside other health professional
organisations and the Global Health Workforce Alliance (see:
http://www.who.int/workforcealliance/en/) to produce the first
guidelines on incentives for health professionals as part of the
Positive Practice Environments campaign.
The community based rehabilitation (CBR) movement and other
grass roots level health services have been well supported by
physical therapists. In many instances physical therapists have
taken the lead in developing and running such services.
Collaborative practice
Physical therapists are active members of multi-professional
teams, working in partnership with other health professionals to
deliver services as equal partners. WCPT believes it is fundamental
to professional autonomy that individual physical therapists should
exercise their professional judgement as long as it is within the
physical therapist's knowledge and competence. So it follows that
their professional decisions cannot be controlled or compromised
by persons from other professions (WCPT 2007c).
In a growing number of countries, physical therapy has first
contact/direct access status: in other words, a referral from
another practitioner is not required, legally or ethically, before
physical therapy services are provided. When physical therapists
see patients without a referral, they can relieve the pressure on
other health care providers (general practitioners and secondary
referrals to hospitals). More people can be treated successfully at
a lower cost to the health system and to the greater satisfaction of
all involved (Holdsworth et al 2007).
WCPT supports professions mutually recognising each others’
skills and collaborative working methods which optimise the
outcomes for their clients/patients.
Regulatory environments that permit direct access and
appropriate scope of practice enable physical therapists to offer a
greater range of skills, thus increasing their ability to practice
independently. In doing so they can relieve pressure on other
professionals, such as physicians, enhance services to areas
poorly served by other health care providers and improve the
patient/client experience and outcomes.
Regulation of the profession
Regulation provides the right to practise physical therapy by the
appropriately qualified individuals under the appropriate legislative
framework. The purpose of regulation is to protect the public from
incompetent, unqualified or unethical practitioners. The form of
regulation varies across jurisdictions, but generally involves
registration of those appropriately qualified to practise, protection
of professional title, a system of accreditation and standards of
practice and a process whereby those failing to meet ethical or
practice standards can be removed from the register.
WCPT encourages open and fair regulatory systems and works
to reduce restrictive practices. In assisting member organisations
and potential new members, WCPT has developed a range of
position papers and policies on various aspects of the profession
to provide information to governments, international nongovernmental
organisations, the media and the public.
Conclusion
Many of the contemporary issues for physical therapy are
interdependent. Where there is high quality professional education
in accredited education programmes and a regulatory
environment that supports autonomous practice, direct access to
physical therapy services and respectful and collaborative
relationships amongst health care providers, there are excellent
opportunities for enhancing the delivery of physical therapy
services to all that need them. ❏
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Hospital and Healthcare Innovation Book 2009/2010 111