ABOUT Physiotherapist
Physiotherapists are health care professionals with a significant role in health promotion and physiotherapeutic management of disorders, diseases and trauma. They combine their in-depth knowledge of the human body and how its functioning with specialised hands-on clinical skills to assess, diagnose and treat physical dysfunctions due to disorders, illness, injury/trauma or disabilities. All physiotherapists registered to practice are qualified to provide safe and effective physiotherapeutic management. They have met national entry-level education and practice standards, and have successfully passed a standardised physiotherapy competence examination.
Background of the physiotherapy profession
Why this profession holds so much importance
Physiotherapy practice spans the continuum from health promotion to prevention to rehabilitation for individuals and populations throughout the lifespan. Physiotherapy diagnoses movement dysfunctions based on skilful examination and evaluation regardless of the cause or etiology and provide skilled therapeutic intervention to foster improvement in physical functioning and maximising overall quality of life. Physiotherapists provide the initial access into the health care system for persons with impairments and functional limitations amenable to physiotherapy and engage in collegial referral relationships with other health care professionals.
Scope of practice
Physiotherapists plan and administer physiotherapy/ rehabilitation treatments independently and also being a part of the multidisciplinary team. The minimum education requirement is baccalaureate degree in Physiotherapy. Physiotherapy is an essential part of the health and community/welfare services delivery system. Physiotherapists practice independently and also as part of the multidisciplinary rehabilitation/habilitation team, prescribe and implement therapeutic programs to gain, maintain or restore optimal function and quality of life in patients/ individuals with loss and disorders of movement/ functions, after necessary assessment, evaluation and investigations. Physiotherapists also work for well-being of individuals and the general public/society, emphasising the importance of physical activity and exercise.
ncahp act 2021 - Physiotherapist can practice independently
Definition of Physiotherapists
Physiotherapy Professional is a person who practices physiotherapy by undertaking comprehensive examination and appropriate investigation, provides treatment and advice to any persons preparatory to or for the purpose of or in connection with movement or functional dysfunction, malfunction, disorder, disability, healing and pain from trauma and disease, using physical modalities including exercise, mobilization, manipulations, electrical and thermal agents and other electro therapeutics for prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, health promotion and fitness. The physiotherapist can practice independently or as a part of a multi-disciplinary team and has a minimum qualification of a baccalaureate degree. (NCAHP Act 2021)
ethical principles
Physiotherapists are guided by their own code of ethical principles
- Promoting the health and well-being of individuals and the general public/society, emphasising the importance of physical activity and exercises.
- Preventing impairments, activity limitations, participatory restrictions and disabilities in individuals at risk of altered movement behaviors due to health or medically related factors, socio-economic stressors, environmental factors and lifestyle factors.
- Assessing/ evaluating, prescribing necessary investigations to establish diagnosis for physical dysfunction, prescribing physiotherapeutic interventions/treatment plan to the patients/individuals seeking their opinion/guidance regarding their health issues.
- Providing interventions/treatment to restore integrity of body systems essential to movement, maximize function and recuperation, minimize incapacity, and enhance the quality of life, independent living and workability in individuals and groups of individuals with altered movement behaviors resulting from impairments, activity limitations, participatory restrictions and disabilities due to diseases, disorders and trauma.
- Modifying environmental, home and work access and barriers to ensure full participation in one’s normal and expected societal roles
Physiotherapists may also contribute to the development of local, national and international health policies and public health strategies.
Settings in which physiotherapy is practiced
Physiotherapy is delivered in a variety of settings which allow it to achieve its purpose.
- Community based rehabilitation facilities/ programs
- Community health settings including primary health care centers, individual homes, and field settings
- Education and research centers
- Fitness clubs, health clubs, gymnasia and wellness centre
- Hospices
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Occupational health centers
- Out-patient clinics
- Physiotherapist private offices, practices, clinics
- Prisons
- Public settings (e.g., shopping malls) for health promotion
- Rehabilitation centres and residential homes
- Schools, including pre-schools and special schools
- Senior citizen centres
- Sports centres/clubs
- Workplaces/companies/ corporate settings
- Integrated medical centres
- Women’s health centre