Policy categories
The World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) advocates that direct access to physical therapy and patient/client self-referral will allow service users to meet their physical therapy goals. Physical therapy professional entry-level education prepares physical therapists to be first contact autonomous practitioners, able to examine/assess, evaluate, diagnose, prognose, intervene/treat, determine outcomes and discharge patients/clients without referral from another health professional (eg medical practitioner) or other third party. 1 Further, WCPT advocates for service developments and delivery models that allow patients/clients improved access to physical therapy services through the ability to refer themselves directly to a physical therapist.
The terms direct access[Note] and patient self-referral refer to the circumstances where physical therapy services are available to patients/clients without the requirement of a referral. 2 In many health service delivery systems throughout the world, the users of physical therapy services do not require such a referral. In these instances, direct access to physical therapy services is supported by national/provincial/regional/state legislative frameworks and by the standards of professional practice of physical therapists. A growing body of research evidence supports the clinical and cost effectiveness of such services and their acceptability among service users. 3-8
WCPT advocates for the right of those seeking physical therapy services to self-refer to a physical therapist if they so desire and believes that this right promotes the autonomy of users of physical therapy services and enables fair and equitable access to such services.
WCPT advocates for health insurance reimbursement models that do not require the referral of a medical practitioner before a patient/client may seek the services of a physical therapist.
WCPT encourages member organisations to:
- advocate for direct access and patient/client self-referral with national/provincial/regional/state health departments, health professions and other organisations, such as those that provide reimbursement for physical therapy expenses and those that represent service user groups
- ensure that physical therapist professional entry level education programmes prepare physical therapists as independent autonomous practitioners able to see patients/clients without a third-party referral1
- ensure the provision of post-qualifying continuing professional development opportunities to support physical therapists in the delivery of direct access and patient/client self-referral
- support research efforts aimed at evaluating direct access and patient/client self-referral services
- make their members aware of resources to support the implementation of direct access and patient/client self-referral services
- make their members aware of their responsibilities when providing direct access to physical therapy services
Glossary
Direct access — the patient/client directly asks the physical therapist to provide services (the patient/client refers themselves) and the physical therapist freely decides his/her conduct and takes full responsibility for it. Also, the physical therapist has direct access to patients/clients and determines their need for the physical therapist’s examination/assessment and intervention/treatment without referral from a third party.
Self-referral — patients/clients are able to refer themselves to a physical therapist without having to see anyone else first, or without being told to refer themselves by a health professional. This can relate to telephone, IT or face-to-face services. 2
| Approval, review and related policy information | |
|---|---|
| Date adopted: |
Approved at the 17th General Meeting of WCPT in June 2011.
Revised and re-approved at the 18th General Meeting of WCPT May 2015. |
| Date for review: | 2019 |
| Related WCPT Policies: |
WCPT policy statements:
WCPT guideline:
Guideline for physical therapist professional entry level education
|
References
- World Confederation for Physical Therapy. WCPT guideline for physical therapist professional entry level education. London, UK: WCPT; 2011. www.wcpt.org/guidelines/entry-level-education(Access date 22nd September 2011)
- Department of Health. Self-referral pilots to musculoskeletal physiotherapy and the implications for improving access to other AHP services. London, UK: Department of Health; 2008. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130107105354/http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_116358.pdf (Access date 30th September 2016)
- Holdsworth LK, Webster VS. Direct access to physiotherapy in primary care: now? -- and into the future? Physiotherapy. 2004;90(2):64-72.
- Holdsworth LK, Webster VS, McFadyen AK. Are patients who refer themselves to physiotherapy different from those referred by GPs? Results of a national trial. Physiotherapy. 2006;92(1):26-33.
- Holdsworth LK, Webster VS, McFadyen AK. Self-referral to physiotherapy: deprivation and geographical setting: is there a relationship? Results of a national trial. Physiotherapy. 2006;92(1):16-25.
- Holdsworth LK, Webster VS, McFadyen AK. What are the costs to NHS Scotland of self-referral to physiotherapy? Results of a national trial. Physiotherapy. 2007;93(1):3-11.
- Leemrijse CJ, Swinkels ICS, Veenhof C. Direct Access to Physical Therapy in the Netherlands: Results From the First Year in Community-Based Physical Therapy. Physical Therapy. 2008;88(8):936-46.
- Webster VS, Holdsworth LK, McFadyen, Little H. Self-referral, access and physiotherapy: patients' knowledge and attitudes. Results of a national trial. Physiotherapy. 2008;94(2):141.
Additional resources