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Member organisation

Ghana Physiotherapy Association

GhanaAfrica
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The Ghana Physiotherapy Association has been a member of World Physiotherapy since 1999 and is part of our Africa region. The Ghana Association of Physiotherapists was founded at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in 1975.

Specialty groups

The Ghana Physiotherapy Association, or its national special interest groups, are members of the following specialty groups recognised by World Physiotherapy:

World Physiotherapy member since

1999

Year members reported

2023

Number of physiotherapist members

135

Contact details

Key contacts

Ghana: a profile of the profession in 2023

mo-pdf-iconDownload profilemo-pdf-iconData disclaimerData correct as at 30 June 2023

Professional titles protected by law

About Ghana Physiotherapy Association and the physiotherapy profession in Ghana

Practising physiotherapists in the country/territory

315 (estimated)

0.09

Per 10,000 population

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% female

58%

In this country/territory

62%

In this region

63%

Globally

Physiotherapist members in this member organisation (MO)

135

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% female

57%

In this MO

70%

In MOs in this region

58%

In MOs globally

Physiotherapy professional entry level education

Minimum qualification required to practice

Bachelors degree

Equivalent fulltime years

4

Number of programmes

3

Entry level physiotherapy education programmes

Please contact the Ghana Physiotherapy Association for details of entry level education programmes in Ghana

Regulation

* = Continuing Professional Development

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Registration required to practice

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CPD* required for re-registration

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CPD* required for membership

What is required to practice in the country/territory?

Physiotherapists need to register with the Allied Health Professions Council. The council grants a license to practice after meeting all their requirements: http://ahpc.gov.gh/ Professionals are advised to join the Professional body, The Ghana Physiotherapy Association to help with personal professional development and to create a forum for communication among members.

Practice

Which authority defines scope of practice

Ministry of Health or another government department

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Standards of practice

More than one

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Education for autonomous practice

Some programmes

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Legislation supports private practice

Physiotherapists are permitted to

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    Act as first contact/autonomous practitioners

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    Assess patients/clients

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    Make a diagnosis

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    Offer preventative advice/services

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    Refer to other specialists/services

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    Treat (interventions, advice and evaluation of outcome)

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    Provide telehealth services

Direct access

*Direct access means a person can refer themselves to a physiotherapist without referral from another health professional

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Direct access* permitted?

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Can people self refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

Will this be reimbursed?

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Can people self refer to physiotherapists in the public system?

Limitations

What are the circumstances in which direct access is limited?

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    Setting (eg. outpatient, private practice, school setting, prevention and wellness, etc)

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    Population/health condition (eg. musculoskeletal, non-complex, etc)

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    Time (eg. medical referral required if treatment is needed beyond 30 or 60 days)

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    Training (eg. certification, academic training, or CPD to demonstrate skill necessary to treat patients without referral from a medial doctor)

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    Other

A person may need a referral from a medical doctor for the purpose of using the National health insurance scheme or in conditions where an investigation is being done by the police or for the payment of insurance claim during accidents.

Special interest groups recognised by the member organisation

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    Acupuncture

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    Orthopaedics/manual therapy

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    Older people

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    Oncology/palliative care and HIV

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    Paediatrics

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    Sports physiotherapy

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    Womens health

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    Neurology

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    Occupational health and ergonomics

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    Private practitioners

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) events

https://www.physioghana.org

It a web for the Ghana Physiotherapy Association

https://www.physioghana.org

It a web for the Ghana Physiotherapy Association

Profile of the profession in this region

A global profile of the profession is also available.

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Accessible version of data

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Angola

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

2,470 (1000-10000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.69 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

75% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

75% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Diploma

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.7 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Member organisation

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The World Physiotherapy standard

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, Some programmes (Some)

Is direct access permitted?

No

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Yes

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

No

Benin

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

108 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.19 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

56% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

52% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.37 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is direct access permitted?

Public only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

No

Cameroon

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

100 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.11 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

65% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

53% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.36 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The World Physiotherapy member organisation specific standard

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Congo (Democratic Republic)

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

312 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.13 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

78% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

67% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Diploma

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.3 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

No

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

No

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Eswatini

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

32 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.28 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

69% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

68% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

A partnership between a regulation/licensing/registration body and your organisation (Partnership)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Ethiopia

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

78 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.06 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

47% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

45% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.2 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, More than one

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Ghana

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

135 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.09 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

58% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

58% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.45 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, More than one

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, Some programmes (Some)

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Ivory Coast

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

90 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.08 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

33% (20-40%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

35% (20-40%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Diploma

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.18 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

No

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

No

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is direct access permitted?

No

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Kenya

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

243 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.4 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

42% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

49% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Diploma

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

1.02 (1-5)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, Some programmes (Some)

Is direct access permitted?

Private only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

No

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Madagascar

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

95 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.07 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

53% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

55% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.17 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

No

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

No

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, Some programmes (Some)

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

No

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

No

Malawi

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

240 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.09 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

21% (20-40%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

22% (20-40%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.25 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

A partnership between a regulation/licensing/registration body and your organisation (Partnership)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The World Physiotherapy standard

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is direct access permitted?

Private only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Yes

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Mauritius

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

41 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.71 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

59% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

56% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

3.96 (1-5)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, More than one

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is direct access permitted?

Private only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

No

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Namibia

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

137 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.57 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

73% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

68% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

1.95 (1-5)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is direct access permitted?

Private only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

No

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

No

Niger

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

62 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.03 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

26% (20-40%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

29% (20-40%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Diploma

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.38 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

No

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

No

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

No

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Nigeria

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

790 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.06 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

40% (20-40%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

40% (20-40%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.48 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, Some programmes (Some)

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Yes

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Rwanda

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

101 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.3 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

30% (20-40%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

52% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.36 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is direct access permitted?

Private only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Senegal

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

86 (<100)

Sierra Leone

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

33 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.04 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

58% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

58% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

1.16 (1-5)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The World Physiotherapy standard

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

No

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

Yes

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

South Africa

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

3,373 (1000-10000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

1.47 (1-5)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

87% (>80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

60% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.67 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, More than one

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Sudan

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

69 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.77 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

77% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

93% (>80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

1.49 (1-5)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, More than one

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

No

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Togo

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

95 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.51 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

29% (20-40%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

16% (<20%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.57 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is direct access permitted?

Private only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

No

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

No

Uganda

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

255 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.1 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

34% (20-40%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

49% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Diploma

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.42 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Zambia

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

93 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.6 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

72% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

65% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.5 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

No

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

No

Zimbabwe

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

7 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.26 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

71% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

51% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.31 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

No

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