World Physiotherapy has published its first global research priorities, marking a significant milestone in an extensive international project to identify research areas that could help advance the physiotherapy profession worldwide.
Published in the Journal of Physiotherapy, the findings identify priority areas for future scientific inquiry and provide a key resource that will be used to inform research strategies, project development, and advocacy across the profession.
The publication represents an important step in World Physiotherapy's strategic commitment to connecting knowledge and supporting evidence-informed practice.
Initiated by the World Physiotherapy board in early 2024 and informed by the organisation's strategic plan, the project aimed to identify research priorities that could help guide the future development of physiotherapy globally.
Jackie Whittaker, associate professor of physical therapy, University of British Columbia, Canada, said: 'For the first time, we have a globally informed picture of the research needed to advance physiotherapy as a profession. These priorities provide a shared starting point for researchers, professional organisations and funders to work together, direct research efforts and investment, and ultimately strengthen physiotherapy’s contribution to health worldwide.'
Identifying key areas
The project set out to answer a fundamental question: what research areas need to be addressed to advance the physiotherapy profession globally?
An expert working group, with members from all five World Physiotherapy regions, was established to identify an appropriate methodology for developing the priorities. Supported by an external expert, the working group adopted a concept mapping approach to guide the research, identify, and organise research priorities.
The 2025–2026 study involved 74 individuals with advanced knowledge of the physiotherapy profession who contributed across a five-step participatory process. The study generated 64 unique research statements, which were sorted and rated according to their importance and feasibility. Analysis of these statements identified nine research priority domains.
The international initiative provided an opportunity to draw on professional knowledge and perspectives to identify research priorities relevant to advancing physiotherapy globally.
Input was sought from World Physiotherapy member organisations, regional executive committees, specialty groups, past and present congress programme committee members, and international partners including the World Health Organization, Humanity & Inclusion, and the International Committee for the Red Cross.
Nine research priority domains
The findings encompass a broad range of issues relevant to the profession, including healthcare delivery, education, research, technology, and professional development. Together, the domains provide a structured overview of the areas identified as priorities through the research process.
Jackie Whittaker, said: 'Identifying research priorities is an important first step, but their real value will come from how they are used. We hope these findings will spark conversations, strengthen collaborations and help researchers, professional organisations and funders make strategic decisions about where to focus their efforts to advance physiotherapy and improve health worldwide.'
Informing future research and advocacy
The research priorities provide a resource for World Physiotherapy, the wider physiotherapy profession, and other interested groups to inform strategic direction, project development, and advocacy. They offer a foundation for considering where future research activity could be directed, considering both the importance and feasibility of different research areas.
The publication also supports World Physiotherapy's strategic role as a knowledge connector, helping to connect the global physiotherapy community with research and insights that can support evidence-informed practice and advocacy. The publication represents an important achievement in an initiative that has brought together expertise from across the global physiotherapy community.
Recognising that research needs and priorities evolve alongside changes in healthcare, professional practice, and policy, World Physiotherapy has committed to reviewing and updating the priorities regularly.
