Chun-Wun Joanne Hsieh and Sung-Hao Lu, both physiotherapists from Taiwan, collaborated with World Physiotherapy to support its strategic work in two key areas: direct access using data from World Physiotherapy’s annual membership census and the emerging role of artificial intelligence (AI) in physiotherapy.
Chun-Wun Joanne Hsieh and Sung-Hao Lu were guided by Suh-Fang Jeng, World Physiotherapy vice president, and Heidi Kosakowski, World Physiotherapy head of membership and policy, to develop their reports. After completing their research, the interns, who are both student members of 社團法人臺灣物理治療學會/Taiwan Physical Therapy Association (TPTA), travelled to London to present their reports to members of World Physiotherapy’s board and staff on 27 and 28 August 2025.
Suh-Fang Jeng said: “World Physiotherapy was invited as the sole global health professional partner in the Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative Program 2025. Chun-Wun Joanne Hsieh and Sung-Hao Lu were passionate and dedicated in the four-month learning journey on the projects of direct access and artificial intelligence through participating in their first World Physiotherapy congress in Tokyo and engaging in the intensive online meetings on research methodology and data interpretation. Both interns have inspired in-depth discussion and received insightful feedback when presenting their reports at the World Physiotherapy office in London and the 50th anniversary of the Taiwan Physical Therapy Association in Taipei. This collaborative model is successful and productive, not only enriching physiotherapy youths with international experience, but also contributing to World Physiotherapy with evidence-based data to help form the next stage of advocacy strategy on direct access and plan the policy on AI use in our profession.”
The interns’ work was supported by the Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative, spearheaded by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education, which seeks to broaden youth engagement through international connections, innovation projects, and overseas internships with global institutions.
During his research, Sung-Hao analysed data collected from World Physiotherapy’s annual membership census to examine the factors that influence direct access, which allows people to self-refer to a physiotherapist without requiring a referral from a doctor. His findings reveal that full direct access has grown in recent years, with implementation more likely in countries/territories boasting stronger economies and more dense physiotherapy workforces. These insights bolster World Physiotherapy's long-standing advocacy for self-referral and offer valuable guidance for shaping future global access policies.
Chun-Wun carried out a comprehensive review of AI's growing presence in physiotherapy. As digital technologies reshape health care, major international bodies have begun issuing guidelines to ensure its safe and ethical deployment. Her work supports World Physiotherapy’s commitment to align with these global efforts, calling for the establishment of dedicated AI working groups and laying the groundwork for formal AI guidance in physiotherapy practice.
Heidi Kosakowski said: “Chun-Wun Joanne Hsieh and Sung-Hao Lu have brought fresh insight to two of the most pressing issues in physiotherapy today. Their research not only strengthens World Physiotherapy’s strategic aims but also highlights the vital role of early career professionals in shaping the future of our field.”
This collaboration between World Physiotherapy and Taiwanese contributors underscores the power of global partnerships in advancing the profession. By tackling both policy reform in direct access and technological innovation via AI, the projects reflect a forward-looking agenda, one that embraces evidence-based advocacy, responsible innovation, and deeper international engagement in the field of physiotherapy.
