Diversity of Private Physiotherapy Practice

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Introduction 

For many recently graduated  physiotherapists the idea of working in private clinics is an attractive work opportunity. Many people are unaware of the various physiotherapy services offered in the private physiotherapy sector outside of musculoskeletal practices. This wiki is aimed to be a tool to assist in increasing newly graduated physiotherapists awareness of these specialties such as neurological rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation, vocational/occupational rehabilitation and physiotherapy in oncology. Each section will give an in depth discussion surrounding the importance and need for these areas of physiotherapy, the efficacy and importance in providing care in private practice setting followed by an outline of steps to start up your own private physiotherapy clinic.

Table of Contents

1. What is physiotherapy? Role of Physiotherapy
2. Development of scope of practice
3. Waitlists
4. Neurological Physiotherapy
5. Oncology Physiotherapy
6. Vocational Physiotherapy
7. Pulmonary Physiotherapy
8. How to set up you own private physiotherapy practice

Learning Outcomes:

1. The reader should be able to identify and discuss the potential diversities of the role of a physiotherapist within a private practice.
2. The learner should be able to critically discuss the use of private practices to aid in bridging the gap between the physiotherapy services offered by the NHS and the need/demand of various groups of service users in the community.
3. Reader should be able to compare and contrast physiotherapy services in each sector.

What is physiotherapy? Role of a Physiotherapist  

Physiotherapy is an internationally recognized profession where the physiotherapist works with service users to identify and encourage their ability to maximise their movement and function while ensuring treatment is patient centred, effective and ethical (CSP 2013). A physiotherapist has professional autonomy, allowing the physiotherapist to have the ability and freedom to use their professional judgement regarding assessment, diagnosis, treatment and care within their scope and limits of knowledge and competence (Higgs et.al. 2001). The WCPT define physiotherapy as:

“Physical therapy is concerned with identifying and maximising quality of life and movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, treatment/intervention, habilitation and rehabilitation. This encompasses physical, psychological, emotional, and social wellbeing. Physical therapy involves the interaction between the physical therapist, patients/clients, other health professionals, families, care givers and communities in a process where movement potential is assessed and goals are agreed upon, using knowledge and skills unique to physical therapists (WCPT 2011).”

The statement above demonstrates the use of a holistic approach to asses and treat service users. Many presenting symptoms can originate or be influenced by social or emotional factors therefore in order to provide truly patient centred care and improve quality of life, all aspects of the service users life such as emotional, social and physiological must be incorporated into assessment and treatment.
Physiotherapists can work in a variety of environments from hospitals, private practice clinics, community based rehabilitation centres, outpatient clinics, to schools and workplaces (WCPT 2011). The scope of physiotherapy is not limited to the role in a clinic surround patient care but as well as influence public health strategies, advocating patient health, teaching, research and helping to develop health policy (WCPT 2011).

Further reading:

• CSP physiotherapy framework available here: https://v3.pebblepad.co.uk/v3portfolio/csp/Asset/View/6jqbh3GzhGWrrcGqpknwmZzh8Z  = Sub Heading 3 =

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