World Physiotherapy
Founded in 1951, World Physiotherapy is the sole international voice for physiotherapy, representing more than 625,000 physiotherapists worldwide through its 121 member organisations.[1] World Physiotherapy is the operating name of World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT).
 | |
| Founded: | 1951 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Non-Governmental Organisation |
| Members: | 121 member organisations |
| President: | Emma Stokes |
| CEO: | Jonathon Kruger |
| Web: | www |
World Physiotherapy is committed to furthering the physiotherapy profession and improving global health. It believes every individual is entitled to the highest possible standard of culturally appropriate healthcare, delivered in an atmosphere of trust and respect for human dignity, and underpinned by sound clinical reasoning and scientific evidence.[2]
World Physiotherapy is a non-profit organisation and is registered as a charity in the UK. It has been in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO) since 1952,[3] collaborating on work programmes to improve world health. It works with a wide range of other international bodies and is a member of the World Health Professions Alliance.[4]
Vision and mission
World Physiotherapy's vision is to move physiotherapy forward so the profession is recognised globally for its significant role in improving health and wellbeing.
As the international voice of physiotherapy World Physiotherapy's mission is to:
- unite the profession internationally
- represent physical therapy and physical therapists internationally
- promote high standards of physical therapy practice, education and research
- facilitate communication and information exchange among member organisations, regions, subgroups and their members
- collaborate with national and international organisations
- contribute to the improvement of global health.
Activity
World Physiotherapy provides services to its member organisations, campaigns to improve world health, and produces policies and guidelines. It encourages high standards of physiotherapy and global health by facilitating the exchange of information and producing resources.
All its activities are shaped and informed by research. In 2013, a study reported which World Physiotherapy countries/territories allow physiotherapy direct access.[5] In 2019, a study reported which World Physiotherapy countries/territories allow physiotherapists to order diagnostic imaging.[6]
World Physiotherapy’s website is the hub of its information sharing activity.
History and growth
Founded in 1951 by 11 national physiotherapy organisations from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Great Britain, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, West Germany, Sweden and the United States of America.[7]
The first international congress and second general meeting were held in London in 1953, where the first executive committee was elected.
World Physiotherapy has developed statements, including Education Guidelines, to support the development of the profession. It has developed a structure of five regions, and close relationships with international independent organisations of physiotherapists with specific interests – 14 of which are now recognised as subgroups of World Physiotherapy.
World Physiotherapy Congress
World Physiotherapy holds a congress every two years, where the world of physiotherapy meets.
The World Physiotherapy Congress is the largest international gathering of physiotherapists, bringing together clinicians, educators, researchers, managers and policy makers. The next congress will be in April 2021 in Dubai, UAE.
Previous congresses
- 2019 Geneva, Switzerland - (Congress proceedings)
- 2017 Cape Town, South Africa
- 2015 Singapore
- 2011 Amsterdam, Netherlands
- 2007 Vancouver, Canada
- 2003 Barcelona, Spain
- 1999 Yokohama, Japan
- 1995 Washington DC, United States
- 1991 London, UK
- 1987 Sydney, Australia
- 1982 Stockholm, Sweden
- 1978 Tel Aviv, Israel
- 1974 Montreal, Canada
- 1970 Amsterdam, Netherlands
- 1967 Melbourne, Australia
- 1963 Copenhagen, Denmark
- 1959 Paris, France
- 1956 New York City, United States
- 1953 London, UK
References
- "World Physiotherapy member organisations".
- "About World Physiotherapy".
- "World Health Organization membership profile".
- "World Health Professions Alliance membership".
- Bury TJ, Stokes EK (April 2013). "A global view of direct access and patient self-referral to physical therapy: implications for the profession". Phys Ther. 93 (4): 449–59. doi:10.2522/ptj.20120060. PMID 23197847.
- Mabry LM, Boyles RE, Brismée JM, Agustsson H, Smoliga JM (2019). "Physical therapy musculoskeletal imaging authority: A survey of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy Nations". Physiother Res Int. 25 (2): e1822. doi:10.1002/pri.1822. PMID 31769580.
- "WCPT 60th Anniversary publication" (PDF).