The Profession of Biokinetics in South Africa: The Need for Access to the Public Healthcare System

Abstract

This chapter reviews the efficacy of the only South African exercise therapy profession (Biokinetics) in the rehabilitation of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Biokinetics is a South African exercise therapy profession established in 1983 and which operates in both the pathogenic and fortogenic healthcare paradigms. Unfortunately, the profession of Biokinetics is restricted to the South African private healthcare sector. This chapter describes the scope of the profession of Biokinetics, empirical studies illustrating the efficacy of the profession in addressing society’s non-communicable disease epidemic, and the challenges inhibiting the profession from gaining access to the South African public healthcare sector. It is hoped that the presentation and critical appraisal of the empirical evidence which illustrates the contribution of the profession of Biokinetics to the rehabilitation of NCDs justifies the authors’ claims for the inclusion of the aforementioned profession in the South African public healthcare sector.

Strengthening the biokinetics workforce for improved services: A human resources for health review from 2000 to 2020

“…[26] A strong body of evidence exists regarding scientifically-based exercise programmes for prevention and management of NCDs and injuries. [27] This open access book chapter summarises empirical evidence on the efficacy of 50 South African biokinetics research publications in tackling the NCD epidemic. Care-based health interventions aimed at improving physical activity are costeffective in high-risk groups, such as older persons and persons with heart failure.…”

“…Care-based health interventions aimed at improving physical activity are costeffective in high-risk groups, such as older persons and persons with heart failure. [28] Extensive arguments have been raised for the expansion of biokinetics to the public sector in response to the increased prevalence of NCDs [4,14,27,29] to alleviate some of the pressure on the public healthcare system by managing and preventing certain chronic, secondary, and associated conditions. Physical activity is an affordable and safe alternative to chronic pharmacological and other medical strategies.…”

“…Physical activity is an affordable and safe alternative to chronic pharmacological and other medical strategies. [27] Biokinetics was recently included in the Department of Health's (DOH) National Obesity Strategic Policy. [30] BASA also presented to the DOH regarding inclusion and accreditation within the National Health Insurance (NHI) financing system.…”

“…[30] Biokineticists could also contribute to reducing rehospitalisation and over-reliance on the existing healthcare system by providing outpatient exercise rehabilitation services. [27] Home-based physical activity programmes should aim to empower patients and their caregivers, promote quality of life, individual independence, and optimise reintegration into communities. [27]…”

“…[27] Home-based physical activity programmes should aim to empower patients and their caregivers, promote quality of life, individual independence, and optimise reintegration into communities. [27]…”