Policy statement: Direct access and patient/client self-referral to physical therapy

The World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) advocates that

Direct access:The patient/client directly asks the physical therapist to provide services (the patient/client refers themselves) and the physical therapist freely decides his/her conduct and takes full responsibility for it. Also, the physical therapist has direct access to patients/clients and determines their need for the physical therapist’s examination/assessment and intervention/treatment without referral from a third party.

See also Access to physical therapy

See also Self-referral

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to

Physical therapy —services for individuals and populations to develop, maintain and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout the lifespan. Physical therapy is described more comprehensively in WCPT’s Description of Physical Therapy.

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’.

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and

Patient: An individual who is the recipient of physical therapy and direct interventions. A person for whom a health service accepts responsibility for treatment and/or care. Individuals who are recipients of physical therapy may also be referred to as clients or service users.

See also Client, Service user

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/

Client: a person, group or organisation eligible to receive services either directly or indirectly from a physiotherapist. The client is: 

• an individual who is not necessarily sick or injured but who can benefit from a physiotherapist’s consultation, professional advice, or services; or 
• a business, school system, and others to whom physiotherapists offer services.

See also Patient

See also Service user

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Self-referral: patients/clients are able to consult a physical therapist without having to see anyone else first. This relates to telephone, online or face-to-face services.

See also Access to physical therapy
See also Direct access

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will allow service users to meet their physical therapy

Goals: The intended impact on functioning (body functions and structures, activities, and participation) as a result of implementing the plan of care. Goals should be measurable, functionally driven, and time limited. If required, the goals may be classified as short-term and long-term.

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. Physical therapy professional entry-level education prepares physical therapists to be primary contact autonomous practitioners, able to examine/assess, evaluate, diagnose, intervene/treat, determine outcomes and discharge patients/clients without referral from another

Health: 'Health' is defined in the WHO constitution of 1948 as a state of complete physical, social and mental well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

See also Health promotion

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professional (eg medical practitioner) or other third party. Further, WCPT advocates for service developments and delivery models that allow patients/clients improved

Access to physical therapy: ability of a patient/client or service user to be referred to a physiotherapist for assessment and treatment. There are different types of access: 

1. Access by referral: The patient/client has access to the physiotherapist by referral from another health professional (medical practitioner or other). 
2. Direct access: The patient/client directly asks the physiotherapist to provide services (they refer themselves). The physiotherapist freely decides their conduct and takes full responsibility for it. Also, the physiotherapist has direct access to patients/clients and determines those that need a physiotherapy assessment/intervention without referral from a third party.
3. Self-referral: patients/clients are able to refer themselves to a therapist without having to see anyone else first, or without being told to refer themselves by a health professional. This can relate to telephone, IT or face-to-face services. 

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services through the ability to refer themselves directly to a

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

.