World Physiotherapy North America Caribbean region

mo-hero-overlay
""

About the region

The region has 13 member organisations and has a programme to reach out to other potential World Physiotherapy members.

The region has published documents establishing physiotherapists as the profession of choice to help people exercise throughout their lives, and has placed an emphasis on continuing education with a series of courses on clinical issues during the regional meetings. 

Message from the chair

This region is quite diverse and encompasses 13 member organisations; including a member organisation that falls in the top three and a member organisation that has the lowest number, as it pertains to physiotherapists’ membership in World Physiotherapy

There are also many islands in the Caribbean that fall within the region that do not have organised associations given the number of physiotherapists practicing on those islands. 

As chair of the region, I am challenged to keep the larger organisations engaged and motivate the smaller organisations to learn from the successes of those larger organisations, to create a balanced and cohesive region; on par with other regions. There is also a need to work with World Physiotherapy to encourage other islands in the Caribbean to formulate associations where possible, which should improve their chances of becoming an official part of the region. 

However, there has been a clarion call from member organisations in the region for more support for continuing education and issues pertaining to legislation; marketing of the profession in individual member organisation countries/territories to increase the visibility of the profession; social media and communication plans development; training to encourage research, and addressing mental stress amongst physiotherapists. This is not an exhaustive list but an expectation so grand requires focus and dedication and, with this new regional executive committee, I am committed to facilitating the need expressed by member organisations. 

Additionally, there is a need to work on the strategic direction of the region, and work that began three years ago requires urgent attention. With this able team and the help of World Physiotherapy, I look forward to facilitating the process. 

The work continues!
 

NAC region executive committee

Webinars and events in 2024

The North America Caribbean (NAC) region executive committee has organised a series of webinars. These webinars are only open to members of World Physiotherapy member organisations in the NAC region.

  • March
    • Communications call: Succession planning
  • 27 April 2024
    • General meeting: Kingston, Jamaica
  • One-day in-person course: Physiotherapy in emergency departments
  • June
    • Webinar: Advanced practice (diagnostics/imaging)
  • August
    • Communications call: Engaging potential members
  • October
    • Webinar: AI in physiotherapy
  • November
    • Communications call: How to develop a public awareness campaign

Telehealth in the Caribbean

The World Physiotherapy North America Caribbean region executive committee has developed a toolkit to help physiotherapists in the region launch and develop telehealth practice.

Profile of the profession in this region

A global profile of the profession is also available.

Accessible version of data

  • Expand all
  • Collapse all

Bahamas

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

30 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

1.71 (1-5)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

87% (>80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

91% (>80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

A partnership between a regulation/licensing/registration body and your organisation (Partnership)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is direct access permitted?

No

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Barbados

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

70 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

2.27 (1-5)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

83% (>80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

83% (>80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is direct access permitted?

Private only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Bermuda

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

36 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

8.81 (5-10)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

86% (>80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

82% (>80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

A partnership between a regulation/licensing/registration body and your organisation (Partnership)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The World Physiotherapy member organisation specific standard

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Canada

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

11,937 (>10000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

7.2 (5-10)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

68% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

72% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Masters degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

1.93 (1-5)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Dominican Republic

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

96 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.76 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

76% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

80% (>80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.89 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

el Ministerio de Salud Publica (Other)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, Some programmes (Some)

Is direct access permitted?

Private only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

No

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Guyana

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

66 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.89 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

82% (>80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

81% (>80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

6.18 (5-10)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Allied Health and Professionals Council (Other)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Haiti

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

7 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.04 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

71% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

60% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.43 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

No

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Not defined

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

No

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, Some programmes (Some)

Is direct access permitted?

Private only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Jamaica

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

85 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

1.84 (1-5)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

71% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

80% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

1.77 (1-5)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The World Physiotherapy standard

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is direct access permitted?

No

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Panama

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

113 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

4.31 (1-5)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

78% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

53% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

5.67 (5-10)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is direct access permitted?

No

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Puerto Rico

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

307 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

2.22 (1-5)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

63% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

66% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Professional doctorate

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

1.55 (1-5)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is direct access permitted?

No

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

St Lucia

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

13 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.72 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

85% (>80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

92% (>80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

No

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is direct access permitted?

No

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Suriname

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

38 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

1.38 (1-5)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

76% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

84% (>80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Diploma

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

8.09 (5-10)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The World Physiotherapy standard

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is direct access permitted?

No

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

No

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

No

Trinidad and Tobago

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

50 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.59 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

68% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

65% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, More than one

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is direct access permitted?

Private only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

United States

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

65,817 (>10000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

6.89 (5-10)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

56% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

68% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Professional doctorate

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

4.1 (1-5)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The World Physiotherapy member organisation specific standard

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Related content