Access to primary health care services is key to ensuring that health care/services are responsive to the needs of individuals, their carers and communities. The World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) advocates for the provision of primary health care that is mindful of local cultural, socio-economic and political circumstances and provides equitable access for all to effective services. WCPT supports an approach that is flexible and innovative in providing models of service delivery that offer care/service developed in response to local needs.
WCPT recognises that there are principles of best practice that should be evident in any model of health services delivery and that these include, but are not limited to:
- health services are equally accessible to all
- local communities and individuals are partners involved in health care/service delivery, planning, operating and monitoring
- the model is developed in response to an assessment of local needs, mindful of the ethical use of resources
- services are developed taking account of local cultural and social norms
- multi-professional, inter-agency and inter-sectoral collaboration at all levels is advocated
- in acknowledging the roles that different health care/services personnel are able to contribute to service delivery, where appropriate, physical therapists should contribute to their education and ongoing development
- where appropriate, communities and individuals are supported to be self-reliant
- while rehabilitation may be the area of greatest need, health promotion and disease prevention should also be addressed and treatment/intervention provided as necessary
- relevant research and evaluation findings are implemented ensuring best practice
- monitoring and evaluation of services is in place with mechanisms for review and modification
Physical therapists have an important role to play in primary health care as:
- direct and indirect providers of services
- members of multi-professional teams
- consultants to Government, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs)
- developers, implementers and managers of services
- educators of other health personnel and support staff
Physical therapy entry level education and continuing professional development opportunities need to adequately prepare and equip physical therapists to work in a variety of settings able to deliver care/services in both urban and rural communities, acknowledging their roles as facilitators and educators of other health personnel, necessary for the attainment of physical therapy and patient/client goals.
Physical therapists and national physical therapy associations are encouraged to work with Governments, NGOs and DPOs to promote and facilitate the development of primary health care and the contribution of physical therapists, encompassing the four core elements of promotion, prevention, treatment/intervention and rehabilitation.
