Scope of Practice

4. Defining Individual Scope

Within the overall scope of animal physiotherapy, individual physiotherapists practice within their own individual scope. This may be described, in general terms by some or all of the following:

• occupational role (e.g. clinician, educator, researcher)
• sector ( e.g. private practice, higher education)
• environment ( e.g. community, veterinary practices)
• client group
  • animals (e.g. equine, canine)
  • owners, handlers, riders
• speciality ( e.g. musculoskeletal, neurological, orthopaedic)
• assessment ( e.g. communication with owner/vet, physical, observational)
• treatment techniques and modalities ( e.g. manual therapy, electrotherapy, rehabilitation)
• advice ( e.g. management, training)
• appropriate referral to other professionals and practitioners ( e.g. veterinary surgeons, saddlers, canine hydrotherapy)

More specifically, members need to consider their individual scope of practice in relation to individual animals and circumstances. When presented with a client's animal, the physiotherapist undertakes a personal risk assessment - as part of the overall assessment - asking themselves the following key questions before proceeding:

• Is the animal safe?
• Is the handler / rider safe?
• Am I safe?
• Are the environmental conditions satisfactory?
• Can I justify the decisions I have made during the assessment? E.g. has the research and experiential evidence been considered?
• Can I identify the most appropriate approach for the client's animal?
• Do I have the correct balance of skills, knowledge and experience to be competent in my chosen approach?

By answering the above questions, the physiotherapist:

• identifies and determines the limits of their own competence *
• demonstrates an understanding of the scope of the profession of physiotherapy.
• illustrates an awareness of other professional’s expertise / other approaches which may be of more benefit to the patient.
• ensures every interaction is a learning experience, which will not only inform, but may change and develop that individual's own scope of practice.

* An information paper 'Interim Guidance on Competence' has been produced by the Learning and Development Function and can be accessed either via the CSP website or in hard copy from the CSP's Enquiry Handling Unit 020 7306 6666 or enquiryhandlingunit@csp.org.uk.

Individual physiotherapists, in accordance with the CSP's professional standards, must ensure the effectiveness of their practice.