In the context of health, health being “… a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (WHO 1948), physical therapists provide services to people and populations to develop, maintain, and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout the lifespan. Physical therapist practice includes the provision of services in circumstances where movement and function are threatened by the process of aging or that of injury, disorders, or diseases. Functional movement is central to what it means to be healthy. [1]
Physical therapist practice is concerned with identifying and maximising quality of life and functional movement potential, within the spheres of promotion, prevention, maintenance, intervention/treatment, habilitation and rehabilitation. This encompasses physical, psychological, emotional, and social well being. Physical therapist practice involves the interaction between physical therapist, patients or clients, families, care givers, other health care providers, and communities, in a process of assessing movement potential and in establishing agreed upon goals and objectives using knowledge and skills unique to physical therapists. [1]
Physical therapists are qualified and professionally required to:
- Undertake a comprehensive examination/assessment/evaluation of the patient/client or needs of a client group;
- Formulate a diagnosis, prognosis, and plan;
- Provide consultation within their expertise and determine when patients/clients need to be referred to another healthcare professional;
- Implement a physical therapist intervention/treatment programme;
- Determine the outcomes of any interventions/treatments; and
- Make recommendations for self management.
The physical therapists’ extensive knowledge of the body and its movement needs and potential is central to determining diagnosis and intervention/treatment strategies. The practice settings will vary in relation to whether physical therapy is concerned with health promotion, prevention, maintenance, intervention/treatment, habilitation, or rehabilitation.
Physical therapists operate as independent practitioners, as well as members of health service provider teams, and are subject to the ethical principles of WCPT. They are able to act as first contact practitioners, and patients/clients may seek direct services without referral from another health care professional. [1], [7]
Physical therapy is an established and regulated profession, with specific professional aspects of clinical practice and education, indicative of diversity in social, economic, cultural, and political contexts. But it is clearly a single profession, and the first professional qualification, obtained in any country, represents the completion of a curriculum that qualifies the physical therapist to use the professional title and to practice as an independent professional.
There may be unique geographic factors in a country or region that will influence physical therapist practice and education. [Country or region to insert anything appropriate for their needs.]
- Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization as adopted by the International Health Conference, New York, 19 June - 22 July 1946; signed on 22 July 1946 by the representatives of 61 States (Official Records of the World Health Organization, no. 2, p. 100) and entered into force on 7 April 1948.
- Practitioner – the term practitioner encompasses all roles that a physical therapist may assume such as patient/client care, management, research, policy maker, educator, and consultant.
