Hi gcoe,

Interesting to hear about the move towards specialisation in New Zealand. I think there is some movement on this issue in Ireland but the general public is not really aware of it as unlike a doctor who specialises and is called something else (oncologist, psychiatrist, etc) a physio remains a physio even after specialisation.

I do know physio's who have done a MSc in Sports Injuries often call themselves 'sports physio's' but there’s nothing to stop any physio calling him/herself that aswell which comes back to my point of self-regulation. If the physio associations only allowed those members that could prove they met certain criteria to call themselves sports physios then the 'sports/athletic therapy' professions would not have been needed or been able to establish themselves. While they may or may not measure up to an experienced specialised sports physio (an argument for another day) what they do offer the public is a certain level of certainty when it comes to professional ability.


Just a point on this: "the move towards a Doctorate in Physiotherapy as an entry level qualification tugs us in the opposite direction – primarily being a better generalist"

- I'm not sure I'd agree with you there. Again the comparison with medical doctors who must 'specialise' in general practice after they graduate. A doctorate in physiotherapy would increase the knowledge and skill level of graduates but would not necessarily lead to generalisation. That is of course unless you think that the years of study required to achieve a doctorate would leave the average physiotherapy graduate jaded and disinterested in further study (i.e. subsequent specialisation). With the level of interest I see in the physio community here in Ireland for CPD I doubt that would be an issue.

I would however agree with you on the need for generalists as not all patients require specialist attention. The big problem is how to operate a proper inter-physio referral system in a country like Ireland where MSK treatment is largely private and therefore each physio will try and retain as many patients as possible in order to make money/a living. There is no financial incentive to make the system more efficient or professional.

Anyway just some thoughts.......