Physiotherapy’s Place in a Rapidly Changing World: A Pan-Canadian Perspective of Threats Facing Practice from the Physio Moves Canada Project, Part 2

Abstract

Purpose: In the latter half of 2017, a qualitative exploration of innovations, threats, opportunities, educational priorities, and research needs was conducted by directly engaging 117 physiotherapy (PT) clinicians across Canada. The Physio Moves Canada project was set up to explore, capture, and synthesize the perspectives of academics, front-line clinicians, and administrators on the future of the profession. Method: Participants provided their perceptions of and ideas about the threats expected to face PT practice in the next 5–15 years. The data were collected from a series of nominal-group-technique-based focus groups and one-on-one interviews and then analyzed to condense the ideas generated into themes. Results: Eight themes and 28 sub-themes were identified and are described in a series of three articles. This article, the second, describes the findings identified by the participants on the threats with the following themes: the disruptive role of technology, the influence of changing funding models, and the rapidly changing values and characteristics of PT’s consumer base. These themes and their 9 sub-themes suggest that physiotherapists expect a dramatic shift in their practice settings, roles, and patients in the coming years – an outlook for which the profession may not be prepared. Conclusions: The presentation of these perspectives derived from members of the professional community is expected to enable leaders, educators, and regulators to begin to position PT to address the threats to the profession, identify opportunities for professional growth, and ensure the profession remains relevant in a changing society.