2. ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY

3. WHAT IS A PHYSIOTHERAPIST?
Physiotherapists are healthcare 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.
ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY

4. Physiotherapy involves:
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
ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY

5. ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY

6. WORK SETTINGS
Physiotherapists are employed in a variety of different work settings, including:
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.
ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY

7. Cardiovascular Fitness Manual Therapy Techniques Mobilizations
PHYSIOTHERAPY INTERVENTIONS
There are a number of areas in which physiotherapists can use their advanced skills. These areas include:
Education
Health Promotion
Exercise
Stretching
Cardiovascular Fitness
Manual Therapy Techniques
Mobilizations
Skin Care
Incontinence
Electrotherapy
Ultrasound
*not an exhaustive list
ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY

8. There are 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
ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY

9. HOW TO BECOME A PHYSIOTHERAPIST
EDUCATION
University: Minimum of four years, but most physiotherapists study for six years or more (Master’s program) There are five universities in Ontario that offer PT programs.
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 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.
ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY

10. REGULATION OF PHYSIOTHERAPY PRACTICE
Physiotherapists are regulated by the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario (the College). Physiotherapists must be a member of the College in order to practice physiotherapy in Ontario.
The College:
Protects the interest of the public by regulating the practice of physiotherapy
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.
ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY

11. The Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (the Alliance)
REGULATION OF PHYSIOTHERAPY PRACTICE
The Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (the Alliance)
The Alliance:
Administers the Physiotherapy Competency Exam (PCE)
Must pass both written and clinical components in order to register with the College
Determines whether the educational background of internationally educated physiotherapists are equivalent to those of Canadian educated physiotherapists
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.
ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY

12. Publicly funded PT services are available at the following locations:
WHO PAYS FOR PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICES?
Publicly funded PT services are available at the following locations:
Community Physiotherapy Clinics (CPCs)
Long-Term Care Homes
Home Care
Community Care Access Centres (CCAC)
Hospitals
Family Health Teams
Community Health Centres
*Physician referrals are needed for publicly funded services.*
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 $ Previously the patient could be charged for their initial assessment as well as anything the clinic charged above and beyond the $ 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.
Family Health Teams and Community Health Centres: On April 18, 2013 physiotherapy funding reform was announced by Ontario’s Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Deb Matthews. Part of this reform included physiotherapists now having the opportunity to be members of primary health care settings such as Family Health Teams (FHT), Nurse-Practitioner Led Clinics and Community Health Centres. Contact your local CHC or FHT to see if they have a physiotherapist on staff. One of the most common requirements to attend a FHT or CHC is to live within the catchment area.
Private Sector: Private clinics may bill clients directly or bill a third party payer, such as:
Insurance company
WSIB
MVA
ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY

13. Ontario Physiotherapy Association 416-322-6866 www.opa.on.ca
WHERE TO FIND A PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Ontario Physiotherapy Association
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!
ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY

14. 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.
ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY

15. 55 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 210 Toronto, Ontario, M4P 1G8
GET IN TOUCH
55 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 210
Toronto, Ontario, M4P 1G8
opa.on.ca
ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY