What you should ask your neuro physio

We are often asked how to find a good physio, and how to get the most out of physiotherapy. Our friends at the Australian Physiotherapy Association have kindly provided the following questions to help you get the best treatment.

1. Are you a registered health professional? What are your qualifications and experience?

In Australia, physiotherapists are required to be registered with Allied Health Professionals Registration Australia (AHPRA). To gain registration, physiotherapists are must demonstrate that they are competent, safe and effective in their practice. A registered health professional is held to ethical and legal standards and must maintain ongoing professional education.

It is important to choose a physiotherapist who has an interest and experience in managing patients with neurological conditions. In their undergraduate education, physiotherapists are trained in neurology and in methods of assessing and treating people with a range of neurological conditions. This always includes clinical (practical) placements in a neurology setting.

Physiotherapists with a special interest in neurological physiotherapy may also choose to do ongoing postgraduate education (e.g. a graduate diploma, Masters or PhD qualification) and professional development (e.g. courses or workshops) in neurology.

2. How can you Enable Me to achieve my movement goals?

One of the first conversations you will have with your physiotherapist will be to identify what you want to achieve out of participating in physiotherapy. Identifying these goals is very important to ensure that your physiotherapy is specific to your needs.

To achieve your goals, your physiotherapist will more than likely give you exercises to perform and strategies to practice independently or with the help of family, friends or carers. These exercises are designed to help you progress and master what you have learnt or practised in the physiotherapy session, so that you can progress towards your goals more quickly.

Ideally you will progress at a rate that allows you to learn something new each time you see your physiotherapist.

3. Can you provide me with physiotherapy in the right setting for me?

Physiotherapists can work with you in a private practice, your home, local gym, local community or sporting club. Physiotherapists also work in hospitals and community rehabilitation and health centres. Some physiotherapists (e.g. hospital-based physiotherapists) may be limited in where and when they can work with clients. Others can be very flexible.

The most appropriate location for your treatment is based on your needs at the time, your goals and your own social and travel situation. Some clients may require treatment in their homes because they are unable to travel to a physiotherapy clinic or centre. Others may choose to be treated at home because their goal for treatment is to improve their ability to move within and around their home. Some goals may be achieved in a group or class setting, and others may require an individual focus.

4. Do you work with other team members? Will I always see you for my appointments?

Sometimes physiotherapists work within a multi-disciplinary team. This means they may work alongside other health professionals such as occupational therapists, neuropsychologists and allied health assistants. Other times physiotherapists work in a stand-alone service.

It is important to know if you will be seeing your physiotherapist or other team members for your physiotherapy sessions. If you are seeing other team members, it is important to clarify their role and qualifications, as well as how your physiotherapist will be communicating with other team members.

5. How much will physiotherapy cost? Will it be funded by the NDIS or my private health insurance? What are the out-of-pocket costs?

Physiotherapy costs will vary depending on where you live, where you choose to have therapy and your insurance situation. At times sessions are fully funded by insurance schemes or provided free of charge by public hospitals, but often there is an out-of-pocket expense and it is important to know what this is up front.

For more information please go to www.choose.physio