Navigating Physiotherapy Competence Standards: The Triad Alignment of Key Stakeholders

Abstract

Standards of physiotherapy practice by respective regulatory bodies and authorities is well documented. However, the triad alignment reported, and efforts taken by physiotherapy stakeholders is unclear and limited. This article aims to highlight any constructive alignment that exist between the three stakeholders namely the regulatory bodies, employers and the higher educational institutions (HEIs). Literature searched was conducted using Google Scholar using keywords on “physiotherapy standards”, “clinical competence”, “regulatory bodies” and “physiotherapy”. Results showed evidence of physiotherapy regulatory bodies, educational institutions and healthcare employers advocating standards of physiotherapy. Physiotherapy authorities advocates the standards of physiotherapy competence, while educational institutions develop various competency assessment tools to measure the outlined standards on their physiotherapy graduate’s. However, the healthcare providers’ (employers) feedback on their expected employability skills is not promising. Evidence suggest discrepancy in the alignment, between these stakeholders and an improved mechanism could be proposed to ensure these standards are well communicated and integrated. Such constructive alignment is imperative in ensuring the physiotherapy workforce produced meet the current 21st century health care demands for optimal patient outcome.