What's in a name?

[shane246]

What best describes our specialty and practice? Is it:
cardiorespiratory physiotherapy?
cardiopulmonary physio?
cardiothoracic?
?other options

Does it matter, to us? our referrers? our clients? other key stakeholders?

What is in a name... I'm interested in any thoughts...

[Physiobase]

Interesting question. I would have thought cardiothoracics pertains to a general terms for anything to do with cardio thoracic region of the body.

Cardiopulmonary physio to me seems more specific to the actual relationship of the heart and lungs. This might be more relevent to say cardiac rehab.

Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy would appear more of a specialist field of practice. This could include cardiac rehab but would also include things like cystic fibrosis, atelectasis, transplant, emphysema, bronchiectasis etc.

What are your thoughts? 8o

[Danijgrodrigues]

My name is Daniel and I'm a physiotherapy student from Portugal. This year I finish my bachelor degree... :rollin

In my view the "cardiorespiratory" denomination is the one that better represents our field of action. It's the term most commonly used here in Portugal.

with regards from Portugal

[Fiona Schreuder]

I personally have never got too worried about our name. Having said that, I do think we need to move away from calling ourselves Respiratory Physios (as is common place here in the UK) as this implies that we do not take the cardiac system into consideration. Most of the public would not know the difference between any of the names (truthfully the majority of the general public are not even aware that we work in this speciality!). I think that the different names have varying inferences depending on locality. In the UK cardiothoracic implies a surgical post. I will sit on the fence on this one and am interested in what others think!

[Martin345]

also not worried, but i think it depends on the context

i think it could be discussed in great detail and we not get anywhere. has to be an individual thing related to what you're doing and who you're addressing

[shane246]

Context and audience is important. So are image and profile, particularly when considering marketing and promotion to key stakeholders, creating an identity to attract and retain interest in the specialty, and educating both internally (to other PT who have misconceptions of cardio PT) and externally to those who probably have no idea that 'cardio' physio even exists.
I too thought that this would be an issue that would go around and around with countless opinions, options, arguments etc and never be resolved; however the reality is that in any forum (not just here) there has been a lack of discussion (?apathy, ?disinterest) or input. Creation of a profile and promotional package requires money to be invested, which requires ownership to drive such a process.

[gpywwp]

how about "cardiovascular and pulmonary physiotherapy"? cardiac rehab essentially addresses the cardiovascular systems. pulmonary can both refer to the "acute" pulmonary care and as well as "chronic" pulmonary rehab.