Policy statement: Direct access and patient/client self-referral to physiotherapy

See Physical therapy

Patient: An individual who is the recipient of physical therapy and direct interventions. A person for whom a health service accepts responsibility for treatment and/or care. Individuals who are recipients of physical therapy may also be referred to as clients or service users.

See also Client, Service user

View full list of glossary terms

Client: a person, group or organisation eligible to receive services either directly or indirectly from a physiotherapist. The client is: 

• an individual who is not necessarily sick or injured but who can benefit from a physiotherapist’s consultation, professional advice, or services; or 
• a business, school system, and others to whom physiotherapists offer services.

See also Patient

See also Service user

View full list of glossary terms

Self-referral: patients/clients are able to consult a physical therapist without having to see anyone else first. This relates to telephone, online or face-to-face services.

See also Access to physical therapy
See also Direct access

View full list of glossary terms

Goals: The intended impact on functioning (body functions and structures, activities, and participation) as a result of implementing the plan of care. Goals should be measurable, functionally driven, and time limited. If required, the goals may be classified as short-term and long-term.

See full list of glossary terms

See Physical therapy

Health: 'Health' is defined in the WHO constitution of 1948 as a state of complete physical, social and mental well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

See also Health promotion

See full list of glossary terms

See Physical therapist