Introduction

Within this response to a scholarly article, focus will pertain to the article Physical therapy: past, present and future- a paradigm shift by (Kumar, 2010). This article covers a wide range of ideas that relate to the long history of physiotherapy. While physiotherapy is simply defined by the given definition of providing service by means to aid in restoring range of movement whether by cause of injury, disease or aging, (Kumar, 2010) makes a point to articulate that physiotherapy and the latter term physical therapy stand for much more. This response will seek to explore and discuss ideas of the past, present, and future development for physiotherapy.  Furthermore, it will explain the fluidity of physiotherapy and how different modalities allow it to be one of the most dynamic fields of study. These ideas also are further proved with the immense research that now acts as the backbone for all of physiotherapy.

Physiotherapy Clinical Practice-past, present, and future

Physiotherapy practices trace as far back as ancient Greece with practitioners including Hippocrates (460-370 BCE). Documentation of practice evolution did not gain traction within the world of medicine until the late 19th century. Though the term, “physiotherapie”, was not coined until 1851, leaving a window of time in which professional development slowed. Despite its ancient origins, the formalization of physiotherapy as a distinct profession did not occur until much later. Physiotherapy saw its most significant step in clinical evolutionary progression during the 1900’s with the rising poliomyelitis epidemic and the aftermath of World War II. Much of this progress was seen with the use of, “passive movements”, as treatment for poliomyelitis, for the alternative to no treatment was the possibility of life-long paralysis (Kumar, 2010). With growing disparities as a result of World War II physiotherapists, disabled veterans allowed for physical therapists to apply new knowledge and practice to rehabilitate veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. This large influx of clinical practice prompted the use of, “physical therapy in hospital and medical programs”, which further cemented the professional outlooks for future physiotherapy practice (Kumar, 2010). Physiotherapy has shifted in the present day towards evidence based interventions. As the demand for physiotherapy services grew, efforts were made to professionalize and standardize the profession. Criticism coming from medical professionals that physiotherapy is too fragmented and under researched were alleviated by the professional standards that were put forth by organizations such as the Confederation of Physical Therapy. These such standards revolutionized international physiotherapy care and allowed for integration into modern medicine. Alongside improvements in professional standards and research based standards, access to physical therapy is a major milestone of the present day. Physiotherapy has evolved a tremendous amount in the time that it has been practiced. It has many outlooks for the future of medicine and rehabilitation.

Physiotherapy Research- past, present, and future

Physiotherapy has made much progress in international integration due in part to its history in search based practice. While there is educational physiotherapy and clinical physiotherapy; research in physiotherapy shapes the path by which clinical practice can further progress. The past of physiotherapy was highly subjective to personal experience and not research based. A point made within the article is that the, “rapid growth of evidence”, based research saw a major spike of records from the year of 1929, to nearly 10,000 records by 2005 (Kumar, 2010). The advent of sophisticated research methodologies, including systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and large-scale clinical trials has allowed for a deeper understanding of the modalities of physiotherapy and how it affects the patient.

 

Present physiotherapy is centered towards creating an environment of quality. This is in part with collaboration with healthcare providers to allow for proper care to anyone in need. (Kumar, 2010) distinguishes physiotherapy by the comparison of , “combining science and art”, to create a space by which professional autonomy can prosper. Collaborative initiatives between researchers, clinicians, and policymakers lay the forefront of future physiotherapy professionalization. This is because with a fluid area of study, researchers can allow patients to mold the path by which physiotherapy will continue to evolve. This is part of the art that is mentioned within the article (Kumar, 2010). The field of physiology research has been a largely dynamic area of study that is much more new than the clinical use  of physiotherapy. This is the leading cause behind the mass evolution of clinical practice and will continue to pave the way for future healthcare and professionalization.

Professional Autonomy Past, Present, and Future

The past of professional autonomy was rough and jagged with regards to the standard of care that was even possible to give. This was staged by the fact that medical professionals were not respected for their knowledge, “the profession, therefore, had little ability to regulate its product (health care services) or its practitioners”, which ultimately slowed the progress at which development could be made (Johnson, 2005, pg.629). The evolution of professional autonomy to the present day can be observed by high standards for patient care that focuses attention to quality of quantity. Though the standard of care has been a target since the early 1800’s,  the issue that medical autonomy still faces is the challenge of rising healthcare costs, changing public perceptions, and the emergence of non-physician providers. The future of physical therapy still has a rather large gap to cover in regard to full autonomy. This is because, “physical therapy’s professional growth and development has not completely mir-rored that of medicine”, which in comparison to physical therapy has received more attention in regard to raising standards of care and spreading awareness to build its overall rapport (Johnson, 2005, pg.632). Though, advocacy efforts by both medicine and physical therapy professionals will further develop in the field to eventually reach a state of autonomy that can focus all attention to a field of qualitative harmony.

 

Conclusion

In closing remarks, physiotherapy has endured a large evolution from the times of ancient Greece to present time. This resilience shows the innovative and dynamic nature that physiotherapy holds. With multiple modalities in the healthcare field, physiotherapy will continue to change with patient demand and will reflect professional standards that are determined with the collaborative efforts from many other fields of medical care. As time goes on, physiotherapy will continue to offer the support and care that it stands for, which will leave the patients of that time in good health and mobility.