Policy statement: Autonomy

The World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) advises that physical therapists, as autonomous professionals, should have the freedom to

Exercise: A subcategory of physical activity that is planned, structured, repetitive, and purposeful in the sense that the improvement or maintenance of one or more components of physical fitness is the objective. Physical activity includes exercise as well as other activities which involve bodily movement and are done as part of playing, working, active transportation, house chores and recreational activities.

View full list of glossary terms

their professional judgment and decision making, wherever they practice, within the

Physical therapist: A professional who has successfully completed a professional entry level programme that enables them to identify and maximise quality of life and functional movement potential, within the spheres of promotion, prevention, maintenance, intervention/treatment and rehabilitation. This encompasses physical, psychological, emotional and social wellbeing. Physical therapist practice involves the interaction between the physical therapist, patients or clients, families, care givers, other health care providers and communities, in a process of assessing movement potential and in establishing agreed upon goals and objectives using knowledge and skills unique to physical therapists. The first professional qualification, obtained in any country, represents the completion of a curriculum that qualifies the physical therapist to use the professional title and to practise as an independent professional.

The professional title and term used to describe the profession's practice varies and depends largely on the historical roots of the profession in each country. The most generally used titles and terms are 'physical therapy’, ‘physiotherapy' and ‘physical therapist’, ‘physiotherapist’.

View full list of glossary terms

's knowledge,

Competence: The proven ability to use knowledge, skills and personal, social and/or methodological abilities, in practice or study situations and in professional and personal development. 

Further, it is the ability of a physical therapist to practise safely and effectively in a range of contexts and situations of varying levels of complexity. The level of an individual’s competence in any situation will be influenced by many factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, the physiotherapist’s qualifications, clinical experience, professional development and their ability to integrate knowledge, skills, attitudes, values and judgements.

View full list of glossary terms

and

Scope of practice: The full spectrum of roles, functions, responsibilities, activities and decision-making capacity that individuals within the profession are educated, competent and authorised to perform. WCPT describes the parameters of a physiotherapist’s scope of practice in its description of physiotherapy.

See also Advanced practice

View full list of glossary terms

.