STAVE OFF: One Private Owners attempt to Navigate the Health and Wellness Space

Overview

With the growing aging demographics in Canada and the rise of non-communicable diseases as driving forces in healthcare utilization, hospitalizations and all-cause mortality, there is a need for lifestyle-focused interventions and programs. Physiotherapists are primary care clinicians with expertise in non-pharmacological, conservative approaches to health management. The role of physiotherapists in health, wellness and prevention has gained increased attention over the last several years in light of these realizations.

In the public sector, some of these initiatives have taken place. However, how this looks in a private sector model appears to be more grey.

Learning Objectives

1. Apply action steps to the implementation of health and wellness practices into private practice physiotherapy clinics.
2. Identify red and yellow flags as well as ethical considerations for the role of physiotherapists in the health and wellness space.
3. Explore and assess the needs and considerations for physiotherapists working with gym owners or owning health and wellness spaces.

Audience

This online physiotherapy course will be of primary interest to clinicians working in the private sector specifically clinicians, business owners, and managers interested in diversifying their treatment and program offerings to include health, wellness, and prevention initiatives.

Description of Supporting Evidence

The World Health Organization in their Report on Aging (2015) has called for a paradigm shift in healthcare from reactionary practices to preventative policies and interventions (World Health Organization, 2015). Physical therapists have the knowledge and skills to lead the way in this transition. Previous scoping reviews have cited evidence for the value of health promotion practices in specific populations such as older adults via tertiary prevention (Duplaga M, Grysztar M, Rodzinka M, Kopec A, 2016), as well as on general physical activity promotion (Lowe A., et al., 2016). Research has already investigated the frequency, barriers, and facilitators to which conversations about healthy lifestyle and risk reduction strategies in PT are occurring in other countries (Healey, Broers, Nelson, & Huber, 2012). In the United States, PT acknowledges that it is within their scope of practice to counsel on health practices (Fruth, Ryan, & Gahimer, 1998), and patients feel that PT should speak with them about physical activity and weight loss management (Black, Ingman, & Janes, 2016).

In Canada, we too acknowledge the role that physical therapists can play in health promotion. STAVE OFF Physiotherapy & Exercise Facility was established in 2015. This clinic is a physiotherapy-gym hybrid model that attempts to bridge the gap between what is known about incorporating health promotion practices in physiotherapy services and best practices in regards to business, the scope of practice and marketing in the physiotherapy prevention space.

Final Thoughts

It is well-established that physiotherapists have the knowledge, skills, and scope of practice to provide services in the area of health, wellness, and prevention. It is important for private practice owners to make the appropriate choices when it comes to respecting the rules and regulations as outlined in the College of Physiotherapists. The aim of this session is to provide insights to allow physiotherapists to safely navigate this arena.

Please note that this course was recorded at the Canadian Physiotherapy Association 2019 Forum in Charlottetown, PEI.