Quality Standards and Guidelines

Original Editor - Rachael Lowe

Top Contributors - Admin, Rachael Lowe, Kim Jackson, Vidya Acharya, Ewa Jaraczewska, Tony Lowe and Alexandra Stead

Introduction

Physiopedia aims to be the leading clinical reference for physiotherapists and rehabilitation professionals worldwide. These quality standards and guidelines establish the foundation for all content on our platform, ensuring that every article meets the professional standards expected of an authoritative healthcare resource. Whether you're creating new content or reviewing existing pages, these guidelines provide the framework for maintaining excellence across Physiopedia.

This document combines our content standards with practical guidance for implementation, serving as the definitive reference for all editorial activities on Physiopedia.

See our Content Review Process ->

Content Standards

Fundamental Requirements

Every article on Physiopedia must adhere to fundamental standards that ensure accuracy, professionalism, and clinical utility. These requirements form the non-negotiable foundation of our content quality:

Evidence-Based Information: All content must be supported by current, peer-reviewed research with proper citations
Professional Language: Use clear, professional terminology appropriate for healthcare practitioners and students
Person-First Language: Always prioritise the person over their condition (e.g., "person with diabetes" not "diabetic patient")
Clinical Relevance: Every page must include practical application for physiotherapists and rehabilitation professionals
International Perspective: Content should reflect global best practices, not just regional approaches

Writing Style Guidelines

Effective communication is essential for educational content. Our writing style balances professional accuracy with accessibility:

Clarity First: Write in clear, concise sentences that convey complex information simply
Active Voice: Use active voice whenever possible to make content more engaging and direct
Structured Information: Break complex topics into digestible sections with clear headings
Define Technical Terms: Provide brief explanations for specialised terminology on first use
Consistent Terminology: Use standardised medical terminology throughout the platform
Consistent Language: Use British English spelling where possible across all content

Evidence and Referencing

The credibility of Physiopedia rests on our commitment to evidence-based practice. Our referencing standards ensure that all information can be verified and evaluated:

Primary Sources: Prioritise systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and RCTs from peer-reviewed journals
Recent Evidence: Aim for references within the last 5 years unless citing seminal or historical works
Proper Citations: Use the built-in referencing function with complete citation information
Reference Density: Include at least one reference per major claim or section
Quality Over Quantity: Select the most relevant, high-quality sources rather than numerous weak sources

See our Referencing Guide and Adding References Tutorial for detailed instructions.

Scope of Practice and Ethics

Content must respect professional boundaries and ethical considerations across all rehabilitation disciplines:

Professional Boundaries: Respect scope of practice for all rehabilitation professions internationally
Safety First: Advice where techniques could cause harm if improperly applied
Ethical Considerations: Address ethical implications of treatments and assessments where relevant
Cultural Sensitivity: Ensure content is culturally appropriate and inclusive
Patient Privacy: Never include identifiable patient information or images without proper consent

We respect professional standards from regulatory organisations worldwide.

Copyright and Intellectual Property

Protecting intellectual property is crucial for maintaining Physiopedia's integrity and legal standing:

Original Content: All text must be original or properly attributed
Plagiarism Policy: Zero tolerance for plagiarism - all content is checked
Image Rights: Only use images with clear copyright permission or Creative Commons licensing
Quotations: Limit direct quotes to essential instances, always with proper attribution
Terms of Service: All content must comply with Physiopedia's Terms and Conditions (Section 9)

Page Structure and Formatting

Standard Page Layout

Consistency in page structure helps users navigate content efficiently. While specific pages may require variation, this standard structure provides the foundation:

Introduction: Clear definition and scope of the topic
Relevant Anatomy/Pathophysiology: When applicable
Clinical Presentation: Signs, symptoms, or characteristics
Assessment/Diagnosis: Evaluation methods and diagnostic criteria
Management/Treatment: Evidence-based interventions
Prognosis/Outcomes: Expected results and timelines
Clinical Relevance: If not already mentioned on the page, with rehabilitation focus
Summary: Brief Summary of page
Resources: Additional learning materials
References: Complete citation list

Formatting Best Practices

Professional formatting enhances readability and comprehension. Apply these practices consistently across all content:

Headings Hierarchy: Use proper heading and sub-heading levels in title case
Paragraph Length: Keep paragraphs to 3-5 sentences for online readability
Lists Usage: Use bullet points for unordered items, numbered lists for sequential steps
Bold for Emphasis: Use bold sparingly for key terms or important points
Internal Links: Link to related Physiopedia pages on first mention of relevant terms to create effective internal connections

See our tutorials on Using Lists and Bullet Points and Making links.

Required Page Elements

Every page must include these essential elements to meet our quality standards:

Editor Attribution

Proper attribution recognises contributors and establishes credibility: ```

Original Editor - Your Name Top Contributors - Admin, Rachael Lowe, Kim Jackson, Vidya Acharya, Ewa Jaraczewska, Tony Lowe and Alexandra Stead

See our Adding Editors Tutorial for complete instructions. To create your profile page, see Create Your Own Profile Page.

Clinical Relevance

Every page must explicitly address how the information applies to physiotherapy practice. This can be integrated throughout or as a dedicated section.

Media and Supplementary Content

Images and Illustrations

Visual content enhances understanding when used appropriately. Follow these guidelines for all visual media:

Copyright Compliance: Only use images with clear usage rights
Clinical Accuracy: Ensure all images accurately represent the content
Accessibility: Include descriptive alt text for all images
Professional Quality: Use high-resolution, professional images
Relevance: Every image must add educational value
License: Add appropriate licensing details to the image file

Copyright-free images can be found at Wikimedia Commons. See our Adding Images Tutorial for detailed instructions.

Videos and Multimedia

Video content can demonstrate techniques and concepts effectively when properly integrated:

Educational Value: Videos must provide clear educational benefit
Professional Sources: Use content from recognised educational providers
Accuracy Verification: Review all video content for accuracy before inclusion
Accessibility: Provide text descriptions of video content when possible

Videos can be found on YouTube or Vimeo. See our Adding Videos Tutorial for detailed instructions.

External Resources

Curated external resources extend learning opportunities beyond Physiopedia:

Quality Sources: Link only to reputable, professional resources
Free Access: Prioritise freely accessible resources
Direct Relevance: Resources must directly support the page topic

Quality Assessment Process

Self-Assessment Checklist

Before submitting content for review, use this checklist to ensure your page meets our standards:

Content Quality ☐ Information is accurate and evidence-based ☐ All major claims are referenced ☐ Content is comprehensive for the topic ☐ Clinical relevance is clearly established ☐ Writing is clear and professional

Technical Requirements ☐ Proper formatting applied throughout ☐ All links functional ☐ Images properly attributed ☐ Categories assigned ☐ Editor credits included

Final Review ☐ Spell check completed ☐ Grammar verified ☐ Consistency checked ☐ Copyright compliance confirmed

Common Quality Issues

Understanding common problems helps maintain standards. Address these issues proactively:

Insufficient Evidence: Every clinical claim needs supporting references
Outdated Information: Regular reviews prevent obsolete content
Regional Bias: Ensure global perspective in treatment approaches
Missing Clinical Application: Always connect theory to practice
Poor Organisation: Use clear structure and logical flow
Formatting Errors: Use browser extensions like Spell Checker for Chrome or Grammarly for Chrome

To report issues or request page title changes, email Quality Assurance Manager.

Continuous Improvement

Responding to Feedback

Quality improvement requires responsive editing based on community feedback:

Timely Response: Address feedback within 48 hours when possible
Professional Dialogue: Maintain respectful discussion of content changes
Evidence-Based Decisions: Support content decisions with evidence
Collaborative Approach: Work with other editors to improve content

Staying Current

Healthcare knowledge evolves rapidly. Maintain content currency through:

Regular Literature Reviews: Continually check for new evidence
Professional Development: Stay current in your areas of expertise
Community Engagement: Participate in editorial discussions
Quality Initiatives: Support platform-wide improvement efforts

Resources for Editors

Essential Tools and Guides

These resources support consistent, high-quality content creation:

User Tutorials - Visual guides for common tasks
Wikitext Help - Formatting reference
MediaWiki Help - Advanced technical support

Getting Help

Support is available for all editors:

Content Questions: Contact the Quality Assurance Manager
Policy Clarifications: Refer to Content Quality Assurance