How to start a physiotherapy
service at primary level
1. Stocktaking of the situation
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Supervisor
Nearest physio in the public sector
Other role players
Policies
Space allocated
Transport
Equipment
Budget for physiotherapy
2. Needs analysis
Familiarise yourself with the patient load
by doing the following:
 Referring clinics
 Visit clinics?
 Different diagnoses
 Ward rounds
 Data information
 Discussions with role players
3. Analyse resources within a
realistic framework
 Available budget
 Support within management
structures
 Extent of your service
 Enthusiasm…..
Set goals for your service
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Discuss and finalise
Prioritise
Short term: highest priority
Medium term: 3 months report
Long term: 2012
Goal reminder
Plan the service
 Needs, goals, resources
 Projects
 Final planning: budget for
equipment, assistive devices,
transport…..
 Impede your progress?
 Delegate
 Management
Start the service
 Interdisciplinary team
 District health/rehabilitation team
 START A SUSTAINABLE SERVICE
Market the service
 Role of physiotherapy
 Communicate
 Workshops, ward rounds, clinic meetings,
community happenings
 Ask to be included
 Super service
 Liaise
 Reports
 Network
Assistants
 Legal supervisor….precarious?
 Assistant’s experience, expertise
 Do not change that which you can’t
improve
 Respect
 Good relationships
 Clarify roles
 Mutual educational role
 Legally in charge
Evaluate
Data information
Feedback from role players
Feedback from patients/clients
Service
relevant? resource
based?
 Goals and time frames
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Conditions most often seen on
primary health care level
Role of physio on primary health
care level
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Preventive
Promotive
Curative
Rehabilitive
Education/consultive
Levels of prevention
 Primary
 Secondary
 Tertiary
Primary prevention
 Controlling of the risk factors
 Health promotion
 Specific protection
Secondary prevention
 Reduction of the consequences
 Early diagnosis, treatment to limit
disability
Tertiary prevention
 Reduction of complications
Promotion
Curative
Rehabilitation
Education/consultation