Prescription medication by physiotherapists: a Brazilian view of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Valton Da Silva Costa

doi:10.1590/1413-81232017227.24892015

Abstract

Many health systems (HS) have adopted novel models of care which have included non-medical prescription (NMP) by physiotherapists. The aim of this study was to verify in the literature the existence of this practice and its possible benefits. A literature review was carried out through search on Science Direct, PubMed, SciELO, Lilacs and Google Scholar, and in the World Confederation for Physical Therapy and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy websites. In recent decades the United Kingdom adopted the NMP for health professionals, followed by Canada. In Australia and New Zealand physiotherapists have acted in the prescription and administration of medications under medical orders, which is the first step into independent prescription. Brazilian physiotherapists cannot prescribe any medication, despite of high demands from patients in the Brazilian HS, shortage of physicians in many regions and bureaucracy in accessing health services. The adoption of NMP by physiotherapists may play an important role in the HS, and it seems to be an inevitable achievement in the next years in Australia and New Zealand. The main benefits include decreasing bureaucracy for assistance, population demands for medication as well as major professional refinement.

Highlights

MethodsIn most part of the contemporary world physiotherapy plays a paramount role in the health systems of both developed and developing countries
Health systems can benefit from adopting models of care that allow physiotherapists and other professionals to prescribe and administrate some types of drugs, fulfilling a gap in the increasing demand for assistance and delivery of medication[5]
Non-medical prescription medication represents a dilemma for physiotherapists and health managers in terms of legal status, patient safety and pharmacological education

Summary

Introduction

In most part of the contemporary world physiotherapy plays a paramount role in the health systems of both developed and developing countries. In those countries physiotherapists are able to autonomously assess, diagnose, treat and discharge their own patients as part of their professional practice[1]. A variety of therapeutic approaches have been utilized to address a number of problems of functioning and movement. In its historic context physiotherapy usually has used drug-free physical therapeutic agents such as photoelectric, thermal and mechanic energies, water, manipulation, physical exercises, and so on. Health systems have required supplementaries competencies from different healthcare professionals as the incidence of chronic-degenerative diseases and population demands for additional care increase[2,3]. Health systems around the world have adopted novel models of care and required professional competencies which are centred on consume needs[4,5]

Objectives

Results

Conclusion