Policy statement: Physical therapist support personnel

The World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) advocates that policies for using

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’.

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Support personnel: A generic term to encompass a range of employment classifications such as:

• physical therapist assistant
• physical therapist aide
• physical therapist technician
• physical therapist helper

Support personnel function only in a properly conducted physiotherapy service under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist when implementing direct intervention/treatment programmes.

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have to be determined at a national level.

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’.

View the full list of glossary terms

is an internationally recognised

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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profession. It may be practised only by qualified and, where required by state or national legislation, duly licensed/registered physical therapists. WCPT advocates that where physical therapist support personnel are utilised, direction and supervision from a physical therapist are essential in the provision of quality physical therapy services. The

Degree: An educational qualification awarded upon successful completion of specific education programmes in tertiary education (traditionally by universities or equivalent institutions).

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of direction and supervision necessary for assuring quality physical therapy services is dependent upon many factors, including the education, experiences, and responsibilities of the parties involved, the needs of the

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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and the organisational structure in which the physical therapy services are provided.