European region of the WCPT statement on physiotherapy in primary care

Abstract

This statement has been produced by the European Region of the World Confederation for Physiotherapy (ER-WCPT) to promote the role of the physiotherapy profession within primary care, to describe the health and economic benefits to health systems and populations of having a skilled, appropriately resourced and utilised physiotherapy workforce in primary care services, and to illustrate how different models of physiotherapy service delivery are contributing to these health and cost benefits.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation among physiotherapists in Lebanon

“…PT act as a bridge between patients and other healthcare professionals, and this has been confirmed by diverse findings and has been recommended by international guidelines and the WHO [ 5 ] and is highlighted by our results. PT’s qualifications and their ability to screen, diagnose, and provide appropriate treatment or referral have positioned them as important providers of quality health care within the primary care team [ 8 ].…”

“…Approval to conduct this survey was obtained from the President of the OPTL and from the ethical committee of the OPTL, and our study was approved by the FHML Research Ethics Committee at Maastricht University. This study was performed according to the Declaration of Helsinki, which involves ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects according to the countries’ regulations as well as the applicable international requirements of the ICH-GCP [ 8 ]. We provided information about the study to every participant prior to the collection.…”

Patients’ attitudes about physiotherapists and self-referral to physiotherapy in Croatia – a pilot cross-sectional study

“…Self-referral is an opportunity for clinical evaluation and physiotherapy advice plan aimed at disabling and preventing possible future dysfunction at an early stage [12] without a referral from a physician [13], usually a specialist, which is contrary to the current practice of the traditional referral model in Croatia. Evidence supports physiotherapeutic management and other specific conditions at the primary level rather than in acute hospitals, such as neurological conditions and women's health problems [14]. Still, the same has been insufficiently researched and described in the literature.…”

“…Still, the same has been insufficiently researched and described in the literature. Physiotherapists at the primary level of health care contribute to addressing the rapidly growing needs of the population, which represent direct demands on the health system and are directly related to rising health care costs in Europe [14]. In Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom, the self-referral model or direct access to physiotherapy in primary care is standard, thoroughly evaluated and recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [12,14].…”

“…Physiotherapists at the primary level of health care contribute to addressing the rapidly growing needs of the population, which represent direct demands on the health system and are directly related to rising health care costs in Europe [14]. In Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom, the self-referral model or direct access to physiotherapy in primary care is standard, thoroughly evaluated and recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [12,14]. European studies show that patient self-referral to physiotherapy has proven to be feasible, appropriate, clinically and financially effective, and supported by patients, physiotherapists and family physicians [15], who are considered "gatekeepers" at the primary level of health care.…”