Physiotherapy in Australia and post graduate education

<p>Physiotherapists in Australia are “first contact” practitioners, which means they are able to diagnose a patient’s injury without a referral from a doctor. Physiotherapists can also refer patients for many types of medical investigations including X-rays, CT, and MRI scans. They require evidenced-based practice to counter medical litigation; they have to consider the sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic examinations used to diagnose patients, and assess the effects to prioritize treatment. The Australian Physiotherapy Association requires physiotherapists to complete post-graduate studies of at least 20 hours every year to maintain their professional quality. They also create career pathways to support the evolving and diverse professional development needs of physiotherapists. Such pathways are achieved via gaining clinical competence certificates at either entry level, titling or specialist level. Titling is available to graduate physiotherapists by completion of either an academic or experiential pathway. The academic pathway is to complete a recognised Australian Master's degree by coursework. With the experiential pathway you must gain five years full-time equivalent (FTE) of relevant clinical experience with three years FTE in the selected discipline. The specialist level is only available to previously titled physiotherapists who are prepared to undergo at least two additional years of training with the Australian College of Physiotherapists. Once specialisation has been achieved, you are known as a Fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapists, the pre-eminent professional body representing specialist physiotherapists in Australia. The Australian Physiotherapy Association requires physiotherapists to update knowledge every year through high evidenced papers or courses, as the best treatment for diseases change as research progresses.</p>