Physiotherapy into the 80's

During the 80's, physiotherapists will have to deal with many important issues such as effective legislation; the basic educational requirement for CPA membership; changes in the code of ethics; accreditation of educational and clinical programs; and standards for quality of care. The greatest challenge for physiotherapists may, however, lie in provision of cost-effective treatment. As governments shift from bedded to non-bedded services, the opportunities for physiotherapists to provide outpatient services may lie in increased private practice operations and the expanded services of community health centres, home care unit, and mobile clinics traveling to remote rural communities. Increasing demands by government and consumer groups for quality control of services provided will create a need for clinical research, to make certain that treatments are effective. Physiotherapists must continue to ensure that increases in the profession's basic educational requirement, body of knowledge, level of specialization, leadership development, resources, and status in the health team are adequate to meet the future expectations of the public sector. The problems facing physiotherapists in the '80s revolve around their credibility--as a professional groups, as clinicians and researchers in a specific field, and as members of a helping profession.