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First-contact physiotherapist-patient relationship
A first-contact physiotherapist-patient relationship is established when a patient provides informed consent to undergo assessment and subsequent treatment services from a physiotherapist, without a referral letter from a registered medical practitioner or a registered Chinese medicines practitioner under sections 6(2)(a), 6(2)(b) and/or 6(2)(c) of the Physiotherapists (Registration and Disciplinary Procedure) Regulation, Cap. 359J. When the patient’s needs are beyond the scope of the physiotherapist’s expertise regardless the patient was received with or without a referral letter, the physiotherapist should inform the patient and assist in identifying a suitably qualified person to provide the necessary service. Physiotherapists should carefully read and adhere to the updated clinical guidelines promulgated by referencing authority , when he/she provides physiotherapy services under sections 6(2)(b) and/or 6(2)(c) of the Physiotherapists (Registration and Disciplinary Procedure) Regulation, Cap. 359J.
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First-contact physiotherapists’ training requirement
Physiotherapists must fulfill the training requirement(s) as published by the Board by attending relevant course(s) accredited by the Board, prior to providing physiotherapy services under sections 6(2)(a), 6(2)(b) and/or 6(2)(c) of the Physiotherapists (Registration and Disciplinary Procedure) Regulation, Cap. 359J.
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List of Accredited Training Providers for providing First-contact physiotherapists’ training course
The Board has approved the proposal jointly submitted by Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University as an accredited training provider to provide First-contact physiotherapists’ training course.
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Training Content
Accreditation Criteria for the Training Programme provided by the Training Provider(s)
- Training provider(s) intending to offer programme for First-Contact PTs must submit a proposal that meets the following criteria to seek accreditation from the Board:
- The proposal should cover the following four courses with below content:
- Introduction to relevant Ordinance/Regulation and Code of Practice
- Identify key changes in professional conduct requirements for direct access practice
- Understand emergency and special circumstance provisions approved by the Physiotherapists Board
- Apply regulatory framework requirements in clinical situations.
- Introduction to Direct Access
- Understanding the principles of medical screening for physiotherapists
- Integrate medical screening principles and evidence-based red flag criteria to formulate an efficient and effective patient examination protocol
- Identify conditions that require referral for medical assessment or to other healthcare professionals.
- Proper and timely communication with patients and other medical professionals
- Introduction to Clinical Guideline for First-Contact Physiotherapists in Primary Care Settings
- Navigate clinical care pathways for first contact assessment and cross-disciplinary management
- Introduction to eHealth System Integration and Documentation
- Demonstrate proficient use of electronic health record systems for physiotherapy documentation.
- Apply privacy and information security protocols in digital health environments.
- Execute effective interdisciplinary communication through electronic platforms.
- Course delivery arrangement:
- Number of Hours: 8 hours (100% attendance required)
- Assessment: Examination with a minimum passing rate of 75% (participants can retake the examinations within 6 months after completion of module)
- Fee: Cost recovery basis
- Enrolment requirements:
- Part Ia Physiotherapists
- Part Ib Physiotherapists need to get a proof of fulfilling 2 000 clinical hours from employer(s), with a statutory declaration of fulfilling 2 000 clinical hours in front of Commissioner of Oaths
(note: free declaration services are provided by Department of Health and Home Affairs Department)
- Proof of completion
- Upon successful completion, training provider(s) must issue a certificate to physiotherapists as proof of training completion.
Administrative arrangements
Physiotherapists shall be responsible to retain the proof of training completion issued by training provider(s), and use such proof as and when necessary. For example, for submission directly to the Primary Healthcare Commission to update its Primary Care Directory to reflect their qualification as being First-Contact PTs.
Application for being Training provider to offer programme for First-Contact PTs
- Any organisation which would like to be Training provider offering programme for First-Contact PTs could submit its proposal to the PT Board by email to ptb@dh.gov.hk for consideration. The proposal should demonstrate the fulfillment of the above criteria.
Legal Reference
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