ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY

What is a Physiotherapist? Physiotherapists are health care professionals who are committed to providing client-centered, quality service to individuals suffering from different physical and/or health issues. A physiotherapist is a university-educated health professional and an important member of your health care team. Physiotherapists are drug-free practitioners who work in partnership with individuals of all ages to break down the barriers to physical function. This means working with patients pre-and post-surgery, helping people come back from illness and chronic disease, injury and accidents, and age-related conditions. They also play an important role in health promotion and disease prevention. 2

What is Physiotherapy? Physiotherapy involves: Evaluating, restoring and maintaining physical function Improving and maintaining functional independence Preventing disease, injury and disability Educating and planning Can point out that physiotherapy and physical therapy mean the same thing. Can elaborate on what a physiotherapist is/does by comparing physiotherapy to professions that are commonly associated or confused with PT. For example, you can point out the differences and similarities between PTs and these various professions: Chiropractors, Massage Therapists, Kinesiologists, Occupational Therapists and Recreation Therapists 3

Work Settings Hospitals Nursing Homes Community Clinics Schools Research Facilities Home Care This list is not exhaustive. Can mention to your audience that these are SOME examples of settings. Feel free to add any of your own ideas. 4

Physiotherapy Interventions Education Health Promotion Exercise Stretching Cardiovascular Fitness Manual Therapy Techniques Mobilizations Skin Care Incontinence Electrotherapy Ultrasound *not an exhaustive list 5

Three Broad Areas of Physiotherapy Cardiorespiratory Heart and lung disease Heart and lung transplants Pre and post cardiac surgery Trauma Neurology Stroke Central nervous system disease Traumatic brain injury Spinal cord injury Cardiorespiratory: PTs in this field often work with patients before and after they have undergone heart or lung surgery. Part of the assessment involves listening to the lungs to assess breath sounds. Treatment involves techniques to make breathing easier by clearing the lungs to allow more air to enter. This is often necessary after surgery because people’s lungs can tend to get “lazy” which can lead to many complications. PTs in this field often counsel patients with heart and lung conditions who are looking to increase their fitness level and endurance. Orthopedics: PTs in this area may work with patients following an injury sustained at work, home or in athletics. Assessment techniques such as measuring how far a joint can move and testing muscle strength are common. PTs in this area are often design exercise treatment plans, and use manual techniques to promote recover. They may also use “modalities” such as heat/cold, ultrasound or electrical muscle stimulation to help with pain management and healing Orthopaedic Workplace injuries Athletic injuries Amputees Pre and post joint surgery 6

How to Become a Physiotherapist Education University: Minimum of 4 years but most physiotherapists study for 6 years or more (Master’s Program) 5 Universities in Ontario Courses Biological Sciences (anatomy) Applied Sciences (human development) Clinical Sciences (functional pharmacology) Scientific Inquiry (research) Professionalism/Ethics (health policy) Can elaborate on the clinical placement portion of the program. Students at Canadian universities have 5-6 clinical placements that are 5 weeks each in duration, for a total of 25-30 weeks of placement time throughout the degree. Can also mention that physiotherapists often continue to take courses while they are practicing to learn new skills and gain more experience in a particular area of physiotherapy (for example - manual techniques, acupuncture) Physiotherapists are expected to continue learning throughout their career 7

Regulation of Physiotherapy Practice The College of Physiotherapist of Ontario Protects the interest of the public by regulating the practice of physiotherapy Must be a member of the College in order to be a registered physiotherapist Handles any public complaints about physiotherapy services Can expand on the role of the College and how it differs from the Association. The College is primarily concerned with protecting the public and regulates PT practice in accordance with this mandate. The Association is the professional association and membership is not mandatory(see slide at end of presentation). The College is the organization the public should contact if they have a complaint or want to inquire about a PTs record. Most provinces in Canada require PTs to pass the Physiotherapy National Exam (PNE) in order to be licensed. However, currently Quebec, New Brunswick & Saskatchewan do not require PTs to write the PNE to become licensed. More information about the College can be found at: 8

Regulation of Physiotherapy Practice The Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators Administers the Physiotherapy Competency Exam (PCE) Must pass in order to be registered with the College Determines whether the educational background of internationally educated physiotherapists are equivalent to those of Canadian educated physiotherapists More information about the Alliance can be found at:

Who Pays for Physiotherapy Services? Publicly-funded PT services are available in the following locations: Community Physiotherapy Clinics (CPC) Long-Term Care Homes Home Care (via Community Care Access Centers) Hospitals *Physician referrals are still needed for publicly-funded services* Private Sector Private clinics may bill: clients directly, or bill a third party payer (insurance company, WSIB, MVA) Community Physiotherapy Clinics (CPC):   Recently the Government of Ontario changed the way that physiotherapy is publicly funded in the province. The OHIP fee for service ($12.20 a physiotherapy visit) no longer exists. The new funding model for community clinic services is block funding that is based on episodes of care. Each episode of care is funded at $312.00. Previously the patient could be charged for their initial assessment as well as anything the clinic charged above and beyond the $12.20. However, with this new funding model the patient cannot be charged for their assessment, treatment and discharge or summary report. All components are included within the funding for an episode of care. The previous eligibility requirements to attend a Designated Physiotherapy Clinic remain the same for the CPC. A patient must have a physician or nurse practitioner referral and fall within one of the following categories: 19 years old or younger, or; 65 years old or older, or; Are receiving benefits under the Ontario Disability Support Program or Ontario Works, or; Have been overnight in a hospital for a condition that now requires physiotherapy treatment. The locations of the CPC are reflective of the previous DPC locations, however, a needs assessment was conducted by the Local Health Integration Network (LHINs) and additional clinics are being added in underserviced areas of the province. Long Term Care Homes: Physiotherapy services are funded at $750 per bed per year in Long-Term Care Homes in the province. Each long-term care home receives this funding directly from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) and contracts with a service provider to deliver the care. Falls and Exercise programming is also available within the homes for residents. Home Care: If a patient requires physiotherapy in their home (whether it be a retirement home, house, apartment etc.) this treatment is arranged through the Community Care Access Centres (CCAC). For seniors who do not require in home treatment, exercise and falls prevention classes are available in the community. DPCs can no longer provide home based treatments in retirement homes under the fee for service model. All patients are being transferred to the CCACs who have received additional funds to account for the increase in volume. Hospitals: PT services are covered under the hospitals global budget funding. Although there is now a shift from 100% global funding to a mix of global funding and patient-based funding. 10

Where to Find a Physiotherapist Ontario Physiotherapy Association 416-322-6866 Canadian Physiotherapy Association College of Physiotherapists of Ontario Family Doctor Be sure that your physiotherapist is registered by checking the Public Register on the College website!

The OPA is a branch of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. What is the OPA? The OPA is a branch of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. The OPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the profession of physiotherapy through advocacy, professional development and career support. 12