Do biokineticists transgress on physiotherapists’ scope of profession? Evidence-based analysis of two physical rehabilitation disciplines in South Africa
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Authors
Ellapen, T.J.
Swanepoel, M.
Strydom, G.L.
Paul, Y.
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AFAHPER
Abstract
Biokineticists are allegedly trespassing on the scope of profession (SoP) of Physiotherapy.This is
a serious accusation, which warrants a careful evidence based investigation. These concerns,
raised by the South African Society of Physiotherapy (SASP), which were subsequently
submitted to the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) date back to 2011. In July
2016 the HPCSA issued a communiqué to the Biokinetics Association of South Africa (BASA)
and the Heads of the Departments of Universities of Podiatry, Physiotherapy and Biokinetics, to
officially communicate to podiatrists, physiotherapists and biokineticists, interns and students-intraining that a person who is not registered as a physiotherapist may not use the terms “physical
therapy” and “physical therapist”. The objectives of this study are to: distinguish the SoP of
Physiotherapy and of Biokinetics through the consideration of their gazetted SoP, to review the
minimum training standards of both professions in relation to exercise/physical therapy, to
identify potential areas of scope overlap between Physiotherapy and Biokinetics, and to identify
remedial steps that could help to prevent any future infringement or overlap in their SoPs. A
literature search and documentary analysis of peer-reviewed professional journal publications,
statutory and professional bodies’ websites, communiqués and proceedings from meetings was
conducted using the following search engines and databases: Google, Sabinet and Google
Scholar adopting PRIMSA standard practices. Keywords used in the search were
“biokineticists,” “physiotherapists,” “trespassing of scope of profession” and “patient referral.”
The exclusion criteria were the alleged trespassing of other South African professionals onto the
SoP of Physiotherapy and patient referral systems relating to other South African health
professions other than Biokinetics or Physiotherapy. The literature search identified 335 records,
which were subsequently reduced to 14 after the application of the exclusion criteria. Findings
reveal an overlap in both the SoP and pathology management in the health dimensions of the
paradigms between the professions. A correct interpretation of the health dimensions will aid
practitioners in both professions to more accurately and appropriately render their professional
services thereby avoiding overlap, controversy and confusion as well as developing a better
understanding of their SoPs
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Citation
Ellapen, T.J. et al. 2018. Do biokineticists transgress on physiotherapists’ scope of profession? Evidence-based analysis of two physical rehabilitation disciplines in South Africa. African journal for physical activity and health sciences (AJPHES), 24(3):316-331. [https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC-10ee208651]