The World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) recognises that patients/clients, governments and third-party funding agencies have a right to expect that the care/services provided by physical therapists will be consistent with prevailing national quality standards.
Quality care/service is optimal care/service at a reasonable cost, balancing patient/client, organisational and professional considerations. Optimal care/service embraces concepts of:
- equity
- efficiency
- effectiveness
- appropriateness
- acceptability
- accessibility
- availability
- safety
To obtain this level of optimal care/service there is a need for:
- research
- development of tools to facilitate evidence-based practice
- implementation of evidence and effective change management
- evaluation of practice structures, processes and outcomes
- monitoring of efficiency, effectiveness and safety
- measurement of patient/client satisfaction
National physical therapy associations must demonstrate leadership in quality through the development of practice standards and monitoring procedures. They also have a role to play in contributing to the development of multi- and uni-professional tools, such as clinical guidelines, designed to facilitate evidence based practice. This should involve seeking opportunities for international collaboration where appropriate.
