“Are developing countries lacking in physical therapy?” The answer is a definite YES! Expanding global practices has been a priority for health professionals for many years, yet physical therapy is not one of the practices getting fully promoted. Introducing physical therapy to developing countries could be one of the answers to a healthier society. The following are just two of the reasons as to why I believe this is an unfortunate reality.
Lack of Recognition of Physiotherapy as an Essential Service3
Unfortunately, physical therapy, sometimes called physiotherapy, has a higher association with athletes or sport injuries in some of these countries. There are other cases where the general public is unaware of what physical therapy actually is and what benefits it provides to their well being.
“Physical Therapists (PTs) are healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the very oldest, who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives.”4
For example, in Africa there is a demand for therapists in areas where the HIV/AIDS population is high.1 Physical therapists help prevent misusage of treatments leading to readmission to hospitals, are able to help in pain management, and continue to develop active muscle strengthening in these types of patients. People need to be informed that therapy provides a way to improve quality of life, or death for those dealing with terminal conditions/illnesses.
Limited Number of Physical Therapists3
The lack of physical therapists in developing countries is alarming. In a developed country the ratio of physiotherapist to population is 1:1400, whereas the ratio of physiotherapists to a developing country is 1:550,000.3 For example, the country of Tanzania has approximately 250 physical therapists working in a population of 38 million people. The ratio is even worse in Ethiopia where there are approximately 14 physical therapists in a population of 60 million people.1 Having these types of ratios must be overwhelming to the therapists working in these areas. Not only that, but they are having to limit quality time with each patient. Majority of the reason why there is a limited number of therapists working is the lack of education in these countries.
“Changes happen slowly in healthcare, but the changes in education are even slower.”2
Higher education institutions are providing more opportunities for students to become nurses or even doctors. Some schools have even completely taken out the rehabilitation sector from their programs. There are a few physical therapy programs in developing countries, but because of underfunding, lack of resources, and/or a teaching staff that is not up to standards, some don’t meet the requirements set by the World Confederation for Physical Therapy. To meet international WCPT (World Confederation for Physical Therapy) guidelines, physical therapy programs require a four year degree.
While there has been a recent push towards changing the lack of physical therapy presence in developing countries, there is more than enough room to improve.
References
1 CYRANA, K. (2011, February 11). THE UNDERVALUED ROLE OF PHYSICAL THERAPISTS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES . Retrieved February 9, 2017, from INTERNATIONAL HEALTH STUDENT
2 FRANTZ, J., PhD. (2007). Challenges Facing Physiotherapy Education in Africa. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice, 5(4), 1540-580x, 1-5. Retrieved February 21, 2017, from http://ijashsp.nova.edu
3 JOHN, E. B., PT, PhD. (2012). Establishing and Upgrading Physical Therapist Education in Developing Countries: Four Case Examples of Service by Japan and United States Physical Therapist Programs to Nigeria, Suriname, Mongolia, and Jordan. JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL THERAPY EDUCATION, 26(1), winter, 29-39. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
4 Policy statement: Description of physical therapy. (2016, October 11). Retrieved February 21, 2017, from http://www.wcpt.org/policy/ps-descriptionPT