Is Physiotherapy becoming a stronger profession or is it being diluted by others?

[Dhidhak]

It is a stronger profession ever since but i have to say that training and practice differ from every region. And the strengthening multi disciplinary approach makes our profession more challenging not to be diluted by others - the margin between the other discpline is not so wide, there will always be overlap but i still believe the physical and personal (we listen to our patients) approach of our profession makes us different than the rest of our team members.

[Quickstart]

...there will always be overlap but i still believe the physical and personal (we listen to our patients) approach of our profession makes us different than the rest of our team members.

I agree with that somewhat; because we have such intimate and constant contact, good physiotherapists are able to develop quite a bond with patients. However, it does depend very much on the skill of the practitioner, not only their profession, as I have also met some wonderful doctors, nurses, speech paths, OT's and AHA's who have just as wonderful interpersonal skills as my fellow physio's.

Anyway... onto the poll. Physiotherapy is constantly undergoing some fantastic changes that pave the way for a smoother and more efficient health service. The level of evidence-based practice has changed dramatically, as has community-based knowledge of the profession and increased respect. As a 4th Year Physio student I have found that when I mention my course, people tend to react the same way. Their eyebrows lift, and a look (of what I hesitate to say) awe crosses their face. It is almost as if you are lifted up into higher echelons in their mind based on that - seemingly minor - piece of information.

As a nearly graduated student I am very excited to see where our wonderful profession will take us in the near future.

[Baby_Physio_Kieran]

From my rather limited experience, I believe physiotherapy is at a crossroads.
It has the potential to become a well recognised and highly respected profession, but it is my opinion that we, as physios are too modest. We do not sell ourselves, nor the benefits of our interventions and advice, as highly as we should do.

For example, the rise of pilates has been enormous over the last few years. Why is this? - because it has been heavily endorsed and publicised.
...and what is pilates, if it is not a set of core stability exercises which are remarkably similar to those that have been taught in physiotherapy outpatient departments around the world.

If we do not stand up and take the credit we deserve soon, then the profession as a whole may eventually fade further into obscurity.