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What Is Physiotherapy?
What Is A Chartered Physiotherapist?
What Qualities are needed to be a Chartered Physiotherapist?
Who Do We Help?
Where Do We Work?
Who Pays for Treatment?
What Is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a health profession concerned with helping to restore well-being to people following injury, pain or disability.
Using knowledge from our extensive scientific background of human anatomy and physiology, Chartered Physiotherapists can help to:
- Assess, diagnose and treat conditions and illnesses that affect people in all ages and social groups.
- Assist a patient to prevent injury in the workplace or on the sports field
- Promote healthier lifestyles for all
Chartered Physiotherapists use mainly physical means such as exercise, manipulation, mobilisation, massage and electrical modalities to help patients achieve their full potential. While traditionally, physiotherapy was regarded as rehabilitative and mainly hospital-based, the profession has expanded greatly into other health care areas. We have invaluable expertise to offer in educational and preventative roles in the community, the workplace and in private practice.
Because the scope of the physiotherapy profession is so broad and varied, many Chartered Physiotherapists choose to specialise in one or two particular fields. However, Chartered Physiotherapists are all dedicated to the same goals:
- To help people achieve their full potential following injury, pain or disability
- To provide a health service that is accessible, effective and humanitarian
- To continue to undertake scientific research and training to improve our service
- To provide a service that is based on high standards of care and practice
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What Is A Chartered Physiotherapist?
The title "Physiotherapist" alone is not evidence of a formal qualification in Physiotherapy. A Chartered Physiotherapist is a specialised member of the health care team. We are recognised by the medical professions and the Department of Health.
The title "Chartered Physiotherapist" and the initials MISCP indicate that a physiotherapist is a member of the professional regulating body, the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists. Chartered Physiotherapists have the high level of education, knowledge and experience needed to give a high quality and effective service to patients. When you attend a Chartered Physiotherapist, you can be sure of:
- A professional, scientific approach to the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of your complaint;
- Seeing a therapist who has qualified with a University degree and who is committed to continuing education and research.
Chartered Physiotherapists are recognised and covered by VHI, Quinn Healthcare, Vivas and other health insurance schemes.
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How to become a Chartered Physiotherapist
If you want to be a Chartered Physiotherapist you will have to do the following:
- Complete a three or four year university degree course which includes a minimum of two years clinical practice;
- Be accepted as a member of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists;
- Undertake continuous professional development;
- Take out professional Indemnity Insurance.
What Qualities are needed to be a Chartered Physiotherapist?
If you get satisfaction from working in a health care setting, have good practical skills, good communication skills, and are reasonably fit, then physiotherapy may be the career for you. You may enjoy the challenge of assessing a patient to identify his or her needs and of planning and carrying out a course of treatment. The academic entry requirements are high in Ireland. For current requirements contact the Schools of Physiotherapy (contact details can be found at the end of this page).
What does the course involve?
To be accepted as a member of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists, students must successfully complete the degree programme at University College, Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, University of Limerick or the equivalent abroad. Subjects studied include anatomy, physiology, pathology, kinesiology and behavioural sciences. Emphasis is put on practical skills, including 1,000 hours of supervised clinical work. Project work and research skills are also developed as an undergraduate.
Working Conditions in the Public Sector
Rates of Pay and grading structures are negotiated between the Union (IMPACT) and the Department of Health and may be obtained from them. The hours are regular with limited night and weekend work. It is possible to work part-time.
Where can I go to get more information?
If you are interested in becoming a Chartered Physiotherapist contact the Manager at your nearest physiotherapy department and arrange to go along and see for yourself what the work involves.
Also contact the Schools of Physiotherapy for their student information booklet which gives full details of entry requirements:
University College Dublin
School of Physiotherapy
Bachelor of Physiotherapy
National University of Ireland
Admissions Office, Belfield, Dublin 4
Phone: (01) 269 3244 Fax: (01) 269 4409
http://www.ucd.ie/
Trinity College Dublin
School of Physiotherapy
B.Sc. (Hons) Physiotherapy
Admissions Office, Trinity College, Dublin 2
Phone (01) 608 1532
http://www.tcd.ie/
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Department of Physiotherapy
B.Sc. (Physiotherapy)
Admissions Office, RCSI, St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2
Phone (01) 402 2156
http://www.rcsi.ie/
University of Limerick
Department of Physiotherapy
School of Health Sciences
College of Science
University of Limerick, Limerick
Phone (061) 234232
http://www.physiotherapy.ul.ie/
Due to limitation of places available to study physiotherapy in Ireland, you may be interested in schools in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Information may be obtained from:
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
14, Bedford Row, London WC1R 4ED England
Phone: 00 44 171 306 6666 Fax: +00 44 171 306 6611
http://www.csp.org.uk/
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Who Do We Help?
We help and treat patients from all age groups and all walks of life:
- from premature babies and children in special schools to the elderly in Day Care Centres;
- from members on your local GAA, Soccer or Rugby team to elite athletes involved in all sports at national and international level;
- from treating injured workers to preventing injury and ensuring a safe working environment;
- from educating women on antenatal care and fitness prior to childbirth to treating women who suffer from incontinence after childbirth.
Chartered Physiotherapists are involved in many other areas such as:
- Back and Neck Pain;
- Headaches;
- Sporting injuries, fitness monitoring, pre-season assessment, treatment of injuries;
- Respiratory care, helping people overcome breathing difficulties and preventing infection;
- Orthopaedics, rehabilitating people following surgery on bones and joints e.g. total knee replacement;
- Paediatrics, helping babies in special care units, helping children in developmental clinics and special schools to achieve independence;
- Neurology, helping people suffering from conditions such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, head injury and others to overcome problems due to muscle weakness, pain and poor balance to increase their independence at home;
- Care of the Elderly, ensuring that the elderly maintain or improve their mobility, strength and balance so that they can lead full and active lives;
- Cardiac Care, Rehabilitation and fitness following heart surgery or a heart attack.
With a Chartered Physiotherapist you're in safe hands.
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Where Do We Work?
We can be seen working in:
Hospitals - in outpatients, on medical and surgical wards and in specialised units such as intensive care, coronary care, burns and rehabilitation centres;
Community and Primary Care Health Centres - visiting people in their homes, giving treatment, advice and appliances to help improve independence;
Special Schools - helping mentally and physically disabled children achieve their full potential;
The Workplace - providing ergonomic assessments, pre-employment screening, risk management and educating workers in correct lifting and handling techniques;
Private Practice - assessing and treating a wide variety of muscle, joint and ligament problems.
Your First Visit:
Your chartered physiotherapist will:
- Ask you some general questions regarding your general health, occupation and hobbies and specific questions relating to your symptoms and how they affect your activities of daily living;
- assess your condition during a physical examination;
- make a diagnosis;
- treat the offending structures accordingly;
- give a customised exercise programme where appropriate;
- advise on posture and activities for daily living or return to sport;
- liaise with other medical professionals e.g. your GP, with your permission, on your condition and progress as necessary.
Naturally, some highly specialied treatments may not be available in every area so when you are making an appointment to see a chartered physiotherapist check to see the practice offers the service required.
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Who Pays for Treatment?
In the public service treatment is free following referral from a consultant or a GP. You will have to go on a waiting list.
There is no standard fee in private practice due to competition authority. For example, fees can be dictated by:
- the location of practice;
- whether it is an initial or follow-up visit;
- the duration of treatment;
- the prescription and supply of specialist materials e.g. orthotics (customised insoles used in the treatment of biomechanical malalignment).
Reimbursement
VHI
The reimbursement rates for visits to Chartered Physiotherapists in private practice are: Lifestages
Level 1 - €25 per visit (max of 7 visits)
Level 2 - €35 per visit (max of 7 visits)
A-E
13 per visit (no limit)
Healthsteps
Gold - €35 per visit (max of 7 visits)
Silver - €25 per visit (max of 7 visits)
Quinn Healthcare - Under Essential and Essential Plus plans up to €20 per session is reimbursed. This €20 goes towards an excess that has to be reached at the end of each year before claiming at the end of that year. Under the Health Manager, Health Manager Start, Health Manager Goals, Family Care and Personal Care plans 50% of the session fee is reimbursed.
VIVAS - Reimburse €30 under Day to Day A plan with a maximum of 3 visits. Under the Day to Day 50 plan there is a reimbursement of 50% up to the total of €25 per visit, with a maximum of 8 visits.
Please note this is subject to you paying a minimum level of eligible outpatient medical expenses. Other insurance plans such as the Garda Medical, Prisons Officers Medical Aid and ESB Medical Schemes offer attractive reimbursement rates. You should refer to your insurance plan for further details.
In addition to the above, tax relief may be obtained on physiotherapy fees in excess of €100. This is done by completing a Med I form at the end of the tax year and submitting it to the Revenue Commissioners.
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