What do medical doctors think of physiotherapist? The answer is surprisingly ambiguous. Despite the fact that they are medically-trained, physiotherapists are not supplementary prescribers. While they can prescribe seven controlled drugs, the majority of physiotherapists do not. The debate over physiotherapists’ prescribing skills is ongoing and varies widely. Nonetheless, most physiotherapists are confident that their expertise extends beyond the prescribed drugs.
As part of their job, physiotherapists examine patients and use physical techniques to improve their condition. Their goal is to determine whether the problem is musculoskeletal in nature. For this, they may question patients to determine if a different problem is underlying. If so, they may refer the patient to the appropriate person to diagnose the underlying condition. Some physiotherapists have access to diagnostic tools such as blood tests and imaging scans. However, not all have this training.
The NHS recognises this and introduced physiotherapists into primary care. First contact physiotherapists are increasingly introduced into GP surgeries to assess patients who suffer from musculoskeletal issues. One in five patients presents with musculoskeletal conditions and this can free up a GP’s time for other, more general medical conditions. If you’re wondering what medical doctors think of physiotherapists, here’s what they say about them.
Physiotherapists can help patients recover after surgery, compensate for body part loss, or prevent further injuries. In addition to helping patients recover from injury, they can teach patients how to maintain flexibility and function throughout their life. And they can help those with disabilities stay active, which reduces the impact of long-term sickness absence. All of these benefits make physiotherapy a valuable profession. What’s more, they’re invaluable to the public.
