Physiotherapist
Physical Therapists or physiotherapists are autonomous, primary health-care professionals who are experts in movement and function of the body. Physiotherapists work with patients of all ages and a spectrum of health conditions. Physiotherapists treat and manage acute injuries such as ankle sprains, knee injuries and other fractures, but also chronic conditions such as lower back pain, diabetes or heart disease. Education, consultation, and injury prevention is also an integral part of the scope of work of physiotherapists.
Working Environment[edit]
Physiotherapists work in a broad range of settings such as private clinics, home care, rehabilitation, hospital in- and out-patient departments, emergency and intensive-care units, various manufacturing facilities, and child development centers.
Education[edit]
In Canada, all physiotherapists are university educated. Recently the programs offered in Canada are 2-year Master of Science degrees. In Ontario, there are 5 universities that offer the program. The University of Ottawa offers the program in French, while the University of Toronto, Queen's University, University of Western Ontario, and McMaster University offer the English program. Clinical placements are essential for the development of skills and competencies of all graduates.
Registration[edit]
In Canada, the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators administers the registration examinations for physiotherapist candidates. There are two examinations that candidates must pass in order to become a registered physiotherapist practicing in Canada. The first examination is a multiple-choice written examination. Candidates must pass this examination in order to challenge the second examination. The second examination is a practical scenarios examination organized in an Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) format. .
