Physiotherapy education in New zealand

Abstract

Formal education in physiotherapy has been available in New Zealand since the first school opened at the University of Otago in 1913; a second school was opened in Auckland in 1973. Currently, the University of Otago and Auckland University of Technology each offer a 4-year baccalaureate degree programme that ultimately prepares students for autonomous practice on entry to the profession. The competencies required for entry-level practice are set by the registering authority, the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand. The physiotherapy programmes offered by the two universities are accredited by the Board; thus, graduates are able to practise without limitation once registered. Physiotherapists are required by statute to undertake on-going professional development and a process of re-certification has been established by the Board to audit a sample of practitioners each year. Key challenges for the Schools of Physiotherapy are to ensure equitable funding from Government and to maintain sufficient quality clinical education opportunities for students. However, these matters cannot stand in the way of the on-going development of physiotherapy programmes that will continue to produce graduates that make a strong contribution to the profession internationally.