The purpose of this report is to 1) illustrate how physiotherapy-relevant models, the Socio-Ecological Model (SEM) and the International Classification of Functioning (ICF), can be applied to include climate-informed content in physiotherapy education and practice; and 2) describe ways to incorporate climate-informed content into foundational science, patient management, and professionalism content within physiotherapy education.
The SEM is applied in conjunction with the ICF to the health condition of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus to demonstrate how climate-informed health considerations can be included in physiotherapy theory and practice. In addition, foundational science, patient management, and professionalism educational content are integrated with climate-informed examples of extreme heat and air pollution. Developed tables illustrate these applications.
By combining the ICF with the SEM, educators can demonstrate the relationship between social, structural, and environmental determinants of health and the patient’s contextual factors to best address comprehensive patient needs. The importance of addressing environmental and social justice in everyday physiotherapy practice can be emphasized. Effects of climate change topics can be incorporated into basic science coursework with the study of environmental health impacts on human physiology and bodily systems. Patient management content can include risk-factor screenings, climate-relevant patient education, sustainable practices in clinical settings, and promotion of environmentally friendly treatment options. Professionalism coursework can foster a commitment to ethical practice, environmental justice, health equity, advocacy, and policy considerations as viewed through a climate-informed lens.
Applying climate-informed SEM and ICF to physiotherapy theory and practice supports understanding the greater environmental and social context of an individual patient’s functional limitations and impairments. This is necessary to provide true patient-centered, equitable physiotherapy services. By embedding climate-informed considerations into foundational science, patient management, and professionalism content, physiotherapy students can better understand the direct effects of environmental factors on health and disease processes. Integrating climate-informed content across the physiotherapy curriculum, the profession can demonstrate excellence in education and ensure that graduates are well-prepared to fulfill their professional responsibilities to address the evolving health needs of society.
The physiotherapy profession is at a crucial juncture where the integration of climate-informed education and practice can significantly impact climate change and health. Future physiotherapy professionals and leaders must be equipped to provide climate-informed patient care and to promote equitable, societal health. Physiotherapy education programs are fundamental in preparing the next generation of physiotherapy professionals to meet society’s health challenges and can do so by embedding climate action, health equity, and sustainability theory and practice into existing coursework.
Health Equity
Sustainability
