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Welcome to Worldwide Physical Therapy Practice: a focus on Primary Care Physical Therapy

This is a project created by and for the students in the School of Physical Therapy at the University of St. Augustine in St. Augustine Florida. Please do not edit unless you are involved in this project, but please come back in the near future to check out new information!!

Original Editor - Your name will be added here if you created the original content for this page.

Top Contributors - Lisa Devine-Keenan, Elaine Lonnemann, Admin, Sonia Ruiz, Didzis Rozenbergs and Andeela Hafeez  

Patient Access to Physiotherapy or Physical Therapy Services / Entry Point

Physical Therapists (physiotherapists) in Austria do not have direct access to patients. Patients in Austria who are seeking physical therapy treatment access physical therapy services via a referral with the freedom to decide intervention. That is, the patient requires a referral from another health professional, i.e. physician, etc., but the prescription does not necessarily contain specific intervention(s) to be used. Physiotherapists are able to assess, diagnose and treat, but they are not able to refer patients onto other specialists or services. Nor are they able to refer patients for diagnostic testing such as ultrasound, radiography or MRI. (1) However, if a physiotherapist is being seen for preventive services, no prescription is needed.
Physical Therapists practice in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, private practices. Physiotherapists can be self employed, or can work as an employees in hospitals, for physicians, at a medical group practice, i.e., in a primary care setting. (2) Additionally, physiotherapists perform home visits. Patients may seek physical therapy services due to an injury, or possibly rehabilitative services post orthopedic surgery, i.e. total hip replacement, etc., or neurologic events, i.e. CVA. Patients are also seen for sports and exercise counseling, ergonometric consulting, pregnancy care and childbirth. Geriatric patients are seen for mobility training and for the prevention of falls. Pediatric patients are treated for motor development issues, etc. (3)

Therapist Preparation

      Degree/Credentialing

In order to become a physiotherapist in Austria, prior to entering a physiotherapy program, a candidate must have completed 12 years of schooling. The physiotherapy education program is 3 years, and students receive a Bachelor of Science in Health Science - Physiotherapy Degree. Courses of Study include kinesiology, biomechanics, human movement sciences, anatomy, physiology , pathology, orthopedics, neurology, physiotherapeutic process of investigation, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation, physiotherapy in prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, science and research in physiotherapy, humans and social sciences basics, and structures and healthcare facilities. The training also involves several internships.
There are ten accredited degree programs in Austria, including Burgenland, Lower Austria, Vienna, Carinthia, Upper Austria, Salzburg, Styrla, Tirol and Vorolberg. Additionally, students can pursue a Masters Degree as well, and programs are available in Sports Physiotherapy (in cooperation with the University of Vienna), Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Danube University Krems) Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy (Medical University of Graz) and Master in Physiotherapy ( FH Campus Wien). Currently there are no Doctorate Programs available in Austria. (1)
The scope of practice of physical therapy in Austria is defined by the Ministry of Health. There are standards of practice and a code of conduct. There is no registration required to practice and no continuing professional development required for membership. (1)

      Specialization

• Do clinicians specialise in certain areas of care and if so how?

Professional Associations

• What are the professional associations associated with Physiotherapy or Physial Therapy in this country?

Information about the Patient Community

• What is the population these PT’s serve?
• What are the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the population served?

Social/Cultural Influences

• What is the influence of the family on a patient's health status?
• What are the typical patient's living conditions, family dynamics, and cultural back ground?

Delivery of Care

• Is delivery of care provided in a timely manner?
• Special methods? Home health etc
  

Type of Health System

• Is it a national health system with universal access?
  

Payment System

• What methods to patient use to pay for service? (Insurance, bartering etc.)