The Current Issues Affecting the Physiotherapy Profession

in South Africa

Demographics of South Africa51.77 million people

(2012)4800 Physiotherapist

2400 Private Practice Physiotherapist

Samantha Dunbar – PhysioFocus Charirperson 2013

Samantha Dunbar – PhysioFocus Charirperson 2013

Samantha Dunbar – PhysioFocus Charirperson 2013

Public versus Private• 600 physiotherapists in public excluding

the community service physiotherapists• Large geographical areas to cover• Large population• Burden of disease, namely HIV and TB • Just to mention a few issues

Samantha Dunbar – PhysioFocus Charirperson 2013

National Health Insurance• to improve access to quality Physiotherapy

services for all South Africans, irrespective of whether they are employed or not;

• to pool risks and funds so that equity and social solidarity will be achieved through the creation of a single NHI fund;

Samantha Dunbar – PhysioFocus Charirperson 2013

• to procure physiotherapy services on behalf of the entire population and efficiently mobilise and control key financial resources; and

• to strengthen the under-resourced and strained public sector in order to improve the Health system’s performance

Samantha Dunbar – PhysioFocus Charirperson 2013

Opportunities for PhysioFocus • NHI Pilot sites – Human Resource shortage• SASP Practice Accreditation implemented for

PHC• School health programs• Coding – clinical guidelines are crucial• Preventative care – PHC settings

Samantha Dunbar – PhysioFocus Charirperson 2013

Undetermined lines regarding Scope of Practice (HPCSA)

• A physiotherapist assesses, treats and manages a wide variety of injuries including ailments from the fields of orthopaedics, neurology, respiratory and thoracic, cardio-vascular, obstetrics, sports medicine, paediatrics, geriatrics, intensive care units

Samantha Dunbar – PhysioFocus Charirperson 2013

and general rehabilitation. • Other medical fields and community care

also falls within the scope of physiotherapy

• A biokineticist treats people with a variety of sport and orthopaedic injuries through the modality of exercise therapy which is based on scientific evidence and personalised exercise prescription.

Samantha Dunbar – PhysioFocus Charirperson 2013

• They use exercise rehabilitation for people with chronic disease, sport injuries and diseases of lifestyle. Health promotion and the maintenance of physical abilities as well as specialised physical activity programme prescriptions are within the scope of biokinetic practice

Samantha Dunbar – PhysioFocus Charirperson 2013

Physiotherapy versus Biokinetics

Simplification of Coding and Billing Structures

• Current codes based on RVU’s (2006) • Complexity of structure, misunderstanding• Need new codes needed• Codes not reflecting all modalities we are

using

• Descriptors not clearly defined – misinterpretation of application

• Funders limiting or decreasing members benefits

• Various legislation to work and comply with e.g. Employment equity, labour issue, etc.

• Patients more aware of their rights and more prone to sueing

Other Issues

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