Physiotherapy present and future.

Abstract

The medical profession has been slow to recognize the advances in recent years in the practice of physiotherapy. The physiotherapist now undergoes a long period of training but is still struggling for recognition and appropriate reward in South Africa. The increasing complexity of physiotherapy has led to the formation of specialist groups, but the future of the profession must now lie with prevention as well as with therapy and rehabilitation. The increasing involvement of physiotherapists overseas in ergonomics and occupational health and safety is described.