2. ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY
ONTARIO PHYSIOTHERAPY ASSOCIATION

3. WHAT IS A PHYSIOTHERAPIST?
Physiotherapists apply knowledge, skills and judgement to promote health and to assess and break down the barriers that restrict physical function.
A physiotherapist is a university-educated health professional and an important member of your health care team.
Physiotherapists are drug-free practitioners who work in partnership with individuals of all ages to break down the barriers to physical function. This means working with patients pre-and post-surgery, helping people come back from illness and chronic disease, injury and accidents, and age-related conditions. They also play an important role in health promotion and disease prevention.
ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY

4. Physiotherapy treatments do not involve drugs or surgery.
WHAT IS PHYSIOTHERAPY?
Physiotherapy focuses on evaluating, restoring and maintaining physical function.
Physiotherapists are physical rehabilitation experts who assess and improve movement and relieve pain.
Physiotherapy treatments do not involve drugs or surgery.
Can point out that physiotherapy and physical therapy mean the same thing.
Can elaborate on what a physiotherapist is/does by comparing physiotherapy to professions that are commonly associated or confused with PT.
For example, you can point out the differences and similarities between PTs and these various professions:
Chiropractors, Massage Therapists, Kinesiologists, Occupational Therapists and Recreation Therapists
ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY

5. ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY

6. Universities & Research Centres Long-Term Care Homes Schools
PHYSIOTHERAPISTS CAN WORK IN MANY SETTINGS, INCLUDING:
Hospitals
Clinics
Universities & Research Centres
Long-Term Care Homes
Schools
Under Developed Nations
Community Health Organizations
This list is not exhaustive. Can mention to your audience that these are SOME examples of settings.
Feel free to add any of your own ideas.
ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY

7. WHAT DO PHYSIOTHERAPISTS DO?
Generally, there are three main areas of healthcare that PTs study and practice.
Cardiorespiratory
Neurology
Orthopaedics
Important to stress that these are 3 broad areas, but physiotherapists are involved in many areas of health care.
Also, these areas are not all mutually exclusive - most physio positions have substantial overlap.
Make a point that the types of populations listed under each area in the following 3 slides are only examples of SOME of the populations with which PT’s work.
Might be a good idea to give one concrete example for each of the 3 slides dealing with each area.
Explain exactly how a PT is involved with that particular population.
There are examples in the notes for each of the next 3 slides.
ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY

8. Cardiorespiratory PT
Physiotherapists working in a cardiorespiratory setting may see the following types of patients:
Heart and lung disease
Heart and lung transplants
Pre and post cardiac surgery
Trauma (ICU)
Cardiorespiratory:
PTs in this field often work with patients before and after they have undergone heart or lung surgery.
Part of the assessment involves listening to the lungs to assess breath sounds.
Treatment involves techniques to make breathing easier by clearing the lungs to allow more air to enter.
This is often necessary after surgery because people’s lungs can tend to get “lazy” which can lead to many complications.
PTs in this field often counsel patients with heart and lung conditions who are looking to increase their fitness level and endurance.
ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY

9. Neurology PT
Physiotherapists in the neuro field may work with the following patient populations:
Stroke
Central nervous system disease
Traumatic brain injury
Spinal cord injury
ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY

10. Orthopaedic PT
Physiotherapists in an orthopaedic setting may work with these types of patients:
Workplace injuries
Athletic injuries
Amputees
Pre and post joint injury
Orthopedics:
PTs in this area may work with patients following an injury sustained at work, home or in athletics.
Assessment techniques such as measuring how far a joint can move and testing muscle strength are common.
PTs in this area are often design exercise treatment plans, and use manual techniques to promote recover.
They may also use “modalities” such as heat/cold, ultrasound or electrical muscle stimulation to help with pain management and healing
ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY

11. Job availability is good
JOB TRENDS
Job availability is good
Flexibility in choosing patient populations, location and hours
As baby boomer population ages, the demand for physiotherapists increases
Salary varies depending on years of experience and public vs. private sector
Expand with your own knowledge/experience of when you were searching for physiotherapy jobs.
ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY

12. PTs are required to complete a minimum of 1, 000 clinical hours.
PT EDUCATION IN CANADA
PTs who study in Ontario must complete a Master of Science in Physical Therapy.
PT programs offer hands-on learning, lectures and small working groups.
PTs are required to complete a minimum of
1, 000 clinical hours.
PTs are committed to life long learning and grow their skills through continuing education programming post-graduation.
Can elaborate on the clinical placement portion of the program.
Students at Canadian universities have 5-6 clinical placements that are 5 weeks each in duration, for a total of weeks of placement time throughout the degree.
Can also mention that physiotherapists often continue to take courses while they are practicing to learn new skills and gain more experience in a particular area of physiotherapy (for example - manual techniques, acupuncture)
ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY

13. Physiotherapy students take courses in: Anatomy Physiology Pathology
WHAT DO PHYSIOTHERAPY STUDENTS STUDY?
Physiotherapy students take courses in:
Anatomy
Physiology
Pathology
PT assessments and treatment areas such as:
Paediatrocs
Geriatrics
Orthopaedics
Neurology
Cardiorespiratory
Special population
This is not a complete list of courses, only examples.
ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY

14. WHAT IS THE PHYSIOTHERAPY COMPETENCY EXAM?
The Physiotherapy Competency Exam (PCE) is administered by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators. There are both written and clinical components of the exam. Candidates must pass both components to register with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario.
ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY

15. Someone who enjoys learning? Someone who works well with people?
IS PHYSIOTHERAPY FOR YOU?
Are you…
Someone who enjoys learning?
Someone who works well with people?
A creative problem solver?
A team player?
Hardworking?
Rewarded by helping others?
ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY

16. WHAT IS THE OPA?
The OPA is a branch of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. The OPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the profession of physiotherapy through advocacy, professional development and career support.
This is not a complete list of courses, only examples.
ALL ABOUT PHYSIOTHERAPY

17. 55 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 210 Toronto, Ontario, M4P 1G8
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55 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 210
Toronto, Ontario, M4P 1G8
opa.on.ca
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