ROLE OF PHYSIOTHERAPY IN COMMUNITY BASED REHABILITATION

Role of Physiotherapist

Outpatient Treatment

Physiotherapy is provided for people of all ages in local Community health Centers and rural hospitals. Conditions treated include:

Acute and chronic orthopedics conditions
Acute and chronic respiratory problems
Pediatrics
Ante and post-natal care
Assessment of chronic neurological conditions for on-going management
Provision of gait aids, TENS and nebulizer units
Sports injuries

Domiciliary Visits

Physiotherapists can provide home visits on request by a GP, specialist, Community Health nurse or Allied Health professional. This service is available to:

Assess and treat people who are unable to attend as out-patients e.g. the frail aged, those with acute conditions or transport difficulties
Manage respiratory conditions that would otherwise require hospitalization
Provide assessment and on-going management of surgical or medical conditions after discharge from hospital.

Continence Promotion

A physiotherapist works as a member of the Statewide Continence Unit located at the Repatriation General Hospital and:

Provides assessment and treatment of incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction for clients in the community
Acts as a consultant for other physiotherapists in the sub-program
Provides education for continence promotion.

In-Patient Treatment

In-Patients in rural hospitals are seen by the physiotherapist from the local Community Health Centre.

Nursing Homes

Residents of rural nursing homes and hostels attached to rural hospitals can be assessed and treated by the local physiotherapist on request.

Health Promotion

Physiotherapists in local Community Health Centers provide:

pre and post-natal exercise classes
hydrotherapy classes
senior citizens exercise classes
manual handling education and training
health promotion education to community groups, schools and on the radio
participation in occupational health and safety projects

A specialized physiotherapist working as a Health Promotion Coordinator liaises with Allied Health professionals, other programs and community services in order to provide a cohesive network for all community physiotherapists.

(Ref: Department of Health and Human Services)

Where physiotherapy need:

Physiotherapy is a degree-based healthcare profession. Physiotherapist use their knowledge and skills to improve a range of conditions associated with different systems of the body, such as:

Neurological (stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's)
Neuro-musculoskeletal (back pain, whiplash associated disorder, sports injuries, arthritis)
Cardiovascular (chronic heart disease, rehabilitation after heart attack)
Respiratory (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis).

Physiotherapists work in a variety of specialism’s in health and social care. Additionally, some physiotherapists are involved in education, research and service management.

Reference link:
http://www.csp.org.uk/your-health/what-physiotherapy

Introduction of Community Physiotherapy:

Community physiotherapy is a team of physiotherapists and assistants highly specialized in treating all age group with long term physical difficulties in various communities setting.

We provide physiotherapy to adults over 18 years of age in their own home, residential or nursing home or day centre.

We will visit a patient if they are unable to travel to an out-patient appointment or if out-patient attendance may minimize any potential gain from treatment. We will also visit patients to assess any problems they have in their own environment, for example when climbing stairs.

As well as offering physiotherapy, the community physiotherapist can provide equipment to aid mobility and make referrals to other agencies if needed.

We can also offer training to careers so that they are able to offer on-going support to the patient.

Ways we can support you may include: