Private physiotherapy: characteristics of a sample of practitioners and their practices

Responses to a questionnaire by 71 private practitioners indicated that the average practitioner was aged 38.6, graduated in 1967, had worked professionally for 14.8 years of which 8.8 years were spent in private practice. Some respondents (19 per cent) owned multiple practices, 48 per cent employed other therapists and 30 per cent had specialised practices. The average practice treated 93 patients a week in 40 minute consultations. The average respondent used 2.5 techniques from other areas of health care and owned 8 machines. Doctors referred 88 per cent of patients but 47.5 per cent of practitioners reported good effects from first contact status. Membership of professional associations was high. Female therapists were more likely to practice part-time and had less affiliations with community groups.