Physical therapists are active members of multi-professional teams, working in partnership with other health professionals to provide patient/client management/services.
The World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) expects physical therapists to have an adequate understanding of the role and function of the other professions, appreciating the core differences as well as the common features.
It is the responsibility of the national physical therapy association, as well as individual physical therapists, to have strategies in place that explain the role and function of physical therapy, to demonstrate the efficacy of physical therapy, and to market physical therapy adequately and appropriately.
In a growing number of countries, physical therapy has first contact status, a referral from a medical practitioner not being required, legally or ethically, before physical therapy services are provided. When a medical referral is legally or ethically required to initiate physical therapy services, the referral should contain essential medical information. Physical therapists are also able to take referrals from other health professionals.
Whether a referral is required or not, physical therapists are qualified and professionally required to undertake a comprehensive examination/assessment of the patient/client, formulate a physical therapy diagnosis, plan and implement a therapeutic intervention/treatment programme where appropriate, evaluate the outcome of any intervention/treatment, and determine discharge arrangements.
Physical therapists should have adequate policies and procedures in place for appropriate communication with the patient’s/client's medical practitioner and other relevant health professionals to ensure necessary consultation and to provide accurate documentation and reports.
