Clinical research

Clinical research in the field of physiotherapy is as important to the profession as it is to any other in the medical field. Physiotherapists rely on information from such research to augment the knowledge they have already gained through their university education and continuing education courses.

Physiotherapy programs are now using what is called "evidence-based therapy practice" as the foundation for their treatments. This is a combination of scientific research, clinical reasoning and the individual's goals and needs. Clinical research helps the practitioner keep up to date with the latest in practice methods, technology and opportunities. Armed with the knowledge gained from clinical research, a physiotherapist can demonstrate that the methodology employed has been tested empirically, subjected to peer review and has been ed within the rehabilitation community.

A practitioner needs to be trained in the new treatment methods before he/she can implement them. Training may involve taking time off work and/or some expense to the physiotherapist or the facility. But despite all of the above, clinical research can benefit both clinician and patient if the clinician is trained in the new methods and both parties come to a mutual understanding and agreement of what is to be done.