Physiotherapy Definitions- At Indian level & International level

1. World Health Organization (WHO): "Physiotherapists assess, plan and implement rehabilitative programs that improve or restore human motor functions, maximize movement ability, relieve pain syndromes, and treat or prevent physical challenges associated with injuries, diseases and other impairments. They apply a broad range of physical therapies and techniques such as movement, ultrasound, heating, laser and other techniques. They may develop and implement programmes for screening and prevention of common physical ailments and disorders" (Reference: http://www.who.int/hrh/statistics/Health_workers_classification.pdf )

2. The International Labour Organization (ILO ): Physiotherapists and related associate professionals treat disorders of bones, muscles and parts of the circulatory or the nervous system by manipulative methods, and ultrasound, heating, laser or similar techniques, or apply physiotherapy and related therapies as part of the treatment for the physically disabled, mentally ill or unbalanced. The International Labour Organization (ILO) is the international organization responsible for drawing up and overseeing international labour standards. It is the only 'tripartite' United Nations agency that brings together representatives of governments, employers and workers to jointly shape policies and programmes promoting Decent Work for all. (Reference: http://www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/stat/isco/isco88/3226.htm )

3. International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) is a tool for organizing jobs into a clearly defined set of groups according to the tasks and duties undertaken in the job. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified physiotherapists in professional group (ISCO Code 2264) and paramedical professionals have been classified in a separate entity (ISCO code 2240). (Reference: http://www.who.int/hrh/statistics/Health_ workers_classification.pdf)

4. World Confederation of Physical Therapy (WCPT) : Physical therapists are qualified and professionally required to: -undertake a comprehensive examination/assessment of the patient/client or needs of a client group -evaluate the findings from the examination/assessment to make clinical judgments regarding patients/clients -formulate a diagnosis, prognosis and plan -provide consultation within their expertise and determine when patients/clients need to be referred to another healthcare professional -implement a physical therapist intervention/treatment programme -determine the outcomes of any interventions/treatments -make recommendations for self-management. (Reference: http://www.wcpt.org/what-is-physical-therapy)

5. Delhi Council for Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy Bill 1997 : “Physiotherapy” means physiotherapeutic system of medicine which includes examination, treatment, advice and instructions to any persons preparatory to or for the purpose of or in connection with movement dysfunction, bodily malfunction, physical disorder, disability, healing and pain from trauma and disease, physical and mental conditions using physical agents including exercise, mobilization, manipulation, mechanical and electrotherapy, activity and devices or diagnosis, treatment and prevention. (Reference: http://delhiassembly.nic.in/aspfile/billspassed/141997.htm)

6. Maharashtra State OTPT Council: "Physiotherapy" means a branch of modern medical science which includes examination, assessment, interpretation, physical diagnosis, planning and execution of treatment and advice to any person for the purpose of preventing, correcting, alleviating and limiting dysfunction, acute and chronic bodily malfunction including life saving measures via chest physiotherapy in the intensive care units, curing physical disorders or disability, promoting physical fitness, facilitating healing and pain relief and treatment of physical and psychosomatic disorders through modulating physiological and physical response using physical agents, activities and devices including exercise, mobilization, manipulations, therapeutic ultrasound, electrical and thermal agents and electrotherapy for diagnosis , treatment and prevention. (Reference: http://www.msotptcouncil.com/OTPTActs.aspx )

World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) Congress 2015

Kindly go to the link or the full details of World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) Congress 2015-

http://www.wcpt.org/congress

Significant new guidance on physical therapists' responsibilities in emergency zones

What are the responsibilities of physical therapists involved in emergency zones? New plain-language guidance from the International Committee of the Red Cross sets out the rights and responsibilities of health personnel in conflict and other situations of danger. It has been welcomed by physical therapists who specialise in this area.

The document deals with some of the issues that arise when providing health care to people who are wounded or sick as a result of having been involved in armed conflicts or other emergencies. It covers the protection of health personnel, the sick and the wounded, standards of practice, the health needs of particularly vulnerable people, health records, imported health care (including military health care), data gathering and health personnel as witnesses to violations of international law, working with the media etc.

According to Pete Skelton, a British physiotherapist who has worked in emergency situations in Haiti, the Middle East and Africa, this is a significant update for physical therapists, because it is framed in the context of humanitarian law and human rights law, taking into consideration the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

“There is a move away from ‘medical ethics’ towards ‘health care ethics’ with specific references to physiotherapists and rehabilitation,” he says.

Of particular relevance to physical therapists is a section on health care for people with particular vulnerabilities, which outlines the need to address access to health care and rehabilitation for people with disabilities, he says. The report also addresses issues around importing health care, which have relevance for physical therapists when considering the provision of locally appropriate wheelchairs or prosthetics.

“It also addresses an issue which frequently proves challenging for physiotherapists during emergencies – the responsibility of all health professionals to keep accurate records,” says Pete Skelton. “Time and again rehabilitation in conflict and emergencies can be hindered either by a lack of appropriate medical records or by physiotherapists themselves failing to document interventions appropriately due to time constraints. Emphasising our responsibility to maintain appropriate records, even in an emergency, is invaluable.”

Barbara Rau, who is responsible for Physiotherapy within the physical rehabilitation department of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), said physical therapists should use such guidelines, and those published by organisations such as WCPT, the World Health Organization and Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF), and periodically review their performance to guarantee optimal quality of care.

“Physical therapists and other health care professionals have important responsibilities in emergency situations while giving special attention to women, children, elderly people and people with disabilities – indeed, they are experts for these specific populations,” she said.

“They are delivering services within a team of health professionals whose structure and organisation might be more challenging than the usual hospital or rehabilitation-based interdisciplinary team.”

“In providing effective and impartial health care, physical therapists have rights (based on humanitarian rights law) and responsibilities, the first one being to look after oneself. Other responsibilities are that they offer, given constraints and if security is provided, an appropriate standard of care – meaning that they use adequate material and technology, and apply professional knowledge and expertise within a relationship of trust.”

WCPT provides a range of resources and guidance for physical therapists working in disaster zones or emergency situations.

“Physical therapists working or interested in working in disaster zones should be aware of WCPT policy statements that apply to practice in emergency response situations, such as those on disaster management, ethical responsibilities, patients’/clients’ rights and the consequences of armed violence, landmines and other weapons of war,” said Catherine Sykes, WCPT’s Professional Policy Consultant.

With ref. from- WCPT.