Extent of Professional Practice of Physical Therapists

The clinical practice of physical therapy in the Philippines is moving towards full autonomy and direct access to patients. This development makes a physical therapist becomes a primary care contact and that patients may directly seek the services of a physical therapist without referral from a physician or other allied medical professionals. However, this call for independence requires ample degree of professional practice in dealing with clients or patients. The primary objective of the researchers in conducting this study is to determine the level of professional practice among physical therapists. This research utilized the descriptive-survey design to determine the level of professional practice among 40 physical therapists in Northern Mindanao (Region 10). Using convenience sampling, the respondents were the licensed physical therapists working as full-time staff among physical therapy facilities which catered patients/clients of varied clinical conditions. Almost all of the indicators for professional practice are “mostly†done by the physical therapists. An enhancement of their professional practice skills is deemed necessary for them to consistently exhibit safety, conduct professionally, demonstrate accountability, communicate effectively, and culturally competent in every patient encounter.

 

Keywords: Professional practice, physical therapy, continuing professional education, professional development