St Joseph's Hospital
PHYSIOTHERAPY
The Physiotherapist’s role is to provide assessment and treatment of physical or movement disorders, with the aim of optimising an individual’s function.
The Physiotherapist:
- provides assessment and treatment of functional disability e.g. impaired walking, bed mobility, sit to stand, standing and sitting balance, upper limb function and fitness;
- considers the issues of strength, range of movement, co-ordination, cognitive deficits, movement planning and initiation, positioning, endurance and pain in relation to the person’s function;
- delivers individual therapy to address rehabilitation goals set with the patient and cares givers;
- provides education and support to patients, families and care givers regarding safe transfers and mobility strategies, care of the upper limb and home exercise programs for continued rehabilitation;
- liaises with the rehabilitation team, particularly N ursing and Occupational therapy, to determine safe and effective carry over of physical abilities, e.g. mobility on the ward or at home, and upper limb management.
- considers walking aid prescription and other equipment needs, and liases with involved services.
