Physiotherapists are autonomous health professionals who are responsible for developing, maintaining or restoring motor function and movement throughout the lifespan using evidence-based practice. They relieve pain and treat or prevent physical conditions associated with injury, disease or other impairments. Physiotherapists empower patients and their carers to manage the condition outside clinical settings. They work within their scope of practice and their professional code of conduct.

Tasks

Tasks include -
(a) Administering muscle, nerve, joint functional ability and other tests to identify and assess physical problems of patients;
(b) Establishing treatment goals with patients and designing treatment programmes to reduce physical pain, strengthen muscles, improve cardiothoracic, cardiovascular and respiratory functions, restore joint mobility and improve balance and coordination;
(c) Developing, implementing and monitoring programmes and treatments using the therapeutic properties of exercise, heat, cold, massage, manipulation, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, ultraviolet and infra-red light and ultrasound in the treatment of patients;
(d) Instructing patients and their families in procedures to be continued outside clinical settings;
(e) Recording information on patients' health status and responses to treatment in medical records-keeping systems, and sharing information with other health professionals as required to ensure continuing and comprehensive care;
(f) Developing and implementing programmes for screening and prevention of common physical ailments and disorders;
(g) Supervising the work of physiotherapy assistants and others.