As a member of a WCPT member organisation you are part of WCPT

Physical therapists often ask how they can become a member of WCPT. All physical therapists are linked to WCPT through membership of their national association, as direct individual membership of WCPT is not possible. Here are some of the benefits you receive by belonging to a member organisation of WCPT.

• Policy and representation
• Resources
• Events
• Awards

Policy and representation

• You have an international voice as part of an organisation representing more than 350,000 physical therapists worldwide.
• You can have confidence that, if your national association is one of WCPT’s 106 member organisations, it is the sole authoritative body for physical therapy in your country.
• You know that your regional interests and priorities are consistently addressed through the work of WCPT’s regions and executive members.
• You are linked to an organisation that works with international health bodies, including the World Health Organization and the World Health Professions Alliance, ensuring the physical therapy profession is recognised and consulted on global health initiatives and campaigns, including the promotion of positive working environments, making non-communicable diseases a global priority, and ending the trade in counterfeit medical products.
• You have assurance that WCPT will help your association establish policy and standards, develop education programmes and regulate the physical therapy profession in your country.

Resources

• WCPT website - gives you worldwide access to the profession with:
  • WCPT guidelines and policies on professional issues, education and regulation helping drive up professional standards around the world
  • resources on areas including evidence based practice, direct access, regulation, community based rehabilitation, ICF, disaster management, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and HIV and AIDS
  • international work and study news and opportunities
  • opportunities to develop networks in particular subject areas
• WCPT News and WCPT E-Update - register to receive this quarterly publication and monthly update direct to your inbox.
• WCPT subgroups - international physical therapy organisations representing a specific area of interest provide you with an excellent resource for contacts and information on those areas of practice.
• Expertise sharing - WCPT has a unique international database of individuals who have offered to share their expertise.
• Social media - WCPT is on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube, follow these pages to learn about our latest news and connect with the international physical therapy community.

Events

• World Physical Therapy Day - be part of the global profession and take part in this WCPT-sponsored day on 8^th September to celebrate physical therapy and its contribution to global health. Have access to ready-to-print posters and leaflets, a clinical resources booklet, along with information and ideas on planning activities and events.
• Congress - the profession's largest international scientific congress, showcasing advances in physical therapy research, practice and education. Enjoy the members’ discount to attend. Learn from speakers who are leaders in their fields, debate current health issues and build international networks with colleagues.

Awards

The profession’s most prestigious international honours recognise physical therapists who have made outstanding international contributions to the profession. Presented every four years during the international congress, your national association has an opportunity to nominate those it feels deserve exceptional international recognition.  See www.wcpt.org/awards