Relevance of physiotherapy in primary health care

Abstract

Physiotherapy is often regarded as a second-contact health service suitable only for secondary and tertiary health facilities that are usually located in urban centres. Yet many patients who require the professional services of a physiotherapist are unable to access it either as a result of non-availability of physiotherapy centres and or nonaffordability by the populace occasioned by cost and distance to location of the health facilities. Attempts at correcting this anomaly has resulted in health policy focus shift from institution to community care. Bringing physiotherapy closer to the doorsteps of those who need it in low income societies can be ensured through its inclusion in primary health care models. The relevance of primary health care physiotherapy model in promoting health of the population and the feasibility of this model are discussed, with particular reference to low income societies such as Nigeria.