Irrefutable evidence of the cost effectiveness and enhanced quality of life delivered by physiotherapy interventions is now confirmed by a landmark report, according to the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA).
The `Value of physiotherapy’ just launched by Olympic athlete Jessica Trengove, analyses the impact of physiotherapy on 11 common conditions including osteoarthritis of the hip and knee, falls prevention programs, back pain, and a diverse range of other health conditions affecting millions of Australians.
“It is a privilege to be asked to launch the economic `Value of physiotherapy’ report. As an elite athlete and a physio, I’ve witnessed both sides of the physio table and know how much of a positive impact physio has on the wellbeing of so many people,” says Ms Trengove.
“The evidence for the value of physio to the health system outlined in the report is conclusive. If we used physio treatment options instead of other more costly treatments, patients and the health system as a whole would benefit. My hope is that these findings lead to increased access to physiotherapy for all Australians.”
APA National President Scott Willis says that decades of physiotherapy research has shown the extensive evidence base for the health benefits of a range of conditions and injuries that physiotherapists treat.
“We’ve known for a long time that physiotherapy is extremely effective, but this is the first time that individual economic studies for a range of health issues have been combined and rigorously analysed to provide an assessment of physiotherapy’s overall cost savings and economic benefits to individual patients and the health sector as a whole,” says Mr Willis.
“Physiotherapy treatment increases mobility, reduces pain and the burden of disease contributing to an enhanced quality of life with the potential to avoid future hospitalisation.
“This is a win for Australians and a win for the health system itself, which is groaning under the weight of years of cost blowouts. We need the Government to instigate changes that ensure these cost effective physiotherapy treatments are funded so that all Australians have access and the opportunity to live healthy and productive lives,” says Mr Willis.
