Physiotherapy Entry-Level Education Project

We are pleased to make available the discussion paper "Let's Discuss Physiotherapy Entry-Level Education in Canada... Issues, Options and Models" (Discussion Paper). This paper was developed as part of a project with the National Physiotherapy Advisory Group (NPAG) at the request of the Canadian University Programs Academic Council (CUPAC).

NPAG is composed of four national physiotherapy organizations: the Accreditation Council of Canadian Physiotherapy Academic Programs (ACCPAP), the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (The Alliance), the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) and the Canadian Universities Physical Therapy Academic Council (CUPAC). NPAG provides a forum for the four organizations to share information and collaborate on matters of mutual interest and concern affecting physiotherapists and physiotherapy in Canada.

The goal of the NPAG Physiotherapy Entry-Level Education Project has been to facilitate informed discussion within the profession and provide physiotherapy stakeholders with the opportunity to reach a consensus on a common vision of the preferred future for physiotherapy education.

Along with the Discussion Paper, two other documents have been developed as part of the project: "Companion Discussion Guide to: Discussion Paper on Physiotherapy Entry-Level Education in Canada" and "NPAG Physiotherapy Entry-Level Education Project: Bulletin III, June 2001". Additionally, focus groups were held across Canada, during April and May 2001. The discussion paper, guide and a summary of the focus group discussions were used as background for a facilitated Consensus Session held in Calgary during CPA Congress in June 2001.

The Consensus Session lead to the development of a common vision of a preferred future for physiotherapy education. In summary, the vision states:

"The preferred entry-level educational qualification for Canadian physiotherapists, to practice physiotherapy, is a professional master's degree.

By 2010, or sooner, Canadian universities will offer entry-level education programs in physiotherapy only at the level of a professionals master's degree."

The full version of this vision will be posted in the near future.

This is not the end point of this discussion, but rather the beginning. There will be opportunity for more discussion exploring the implications of the vision at all levels and to develop strategies that will best allow its realization.

Any questions or comments related to this project should be directed to Ellen Melis, CPA Program Coordinator at emelis@physiotherapy.ca.

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