The Difference Between a Physiotherapist and a Doctor

With the development of new medical techniques and the continuous influx of research, the quality of health services has indeed improved drastically. Working in public and private health fields, doctors and physiotherapists employ the latest in medical science. However, some people still confuse the roles that a physician and a physiotherapy doctor has in providing health care to patients.

The biggest difference between these two health care providers lies in their education and training. It is significant that this difference is noted so that you will know which health professional is best qualified to handle your condition.

Who is a Physiotherapist?

Essentially, a physiotherapist is someone who practices the principles of physical therapy. Alternatively, Physiotherapy is a health field which focuses on patients who have functional deficiencies, impairments, or other conditions that restrict normal functions and prevent the achievement of the patient's full physical potentials.

A physiotherapist is a primary health care provider who helps a patient cope with his or her condition by devising, applying, and modifying therapeutic interventions in order to alleviate the existing condition. Most of these interventions employ physical means of treatment, such as manual therapy, prescription exercise and various modalities.

Physiotherapy students complete a 4 year undergraduate study program, and then a 3 or 4 year honours degree in physical therapy. Education involved includes both a solid background in theory as well as spending a good number of hours in clinical experience working with patients as part of the degree program. A few of the subject matters covered by the course are anatomy, physiology, pathology, and even some psychology. Practicum also introduces the physiotherapy student to other medical students from other disciplines. This interaction is crucial in helping foster inter-professional team building relationships in health care.

Who is a Physician?

There are two types of physicians, the Medical Doctor, or M.D., and the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, or D. O. Both physicians almost have the same education and training background except for the fact that Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine have more weight on diagnosing musculo-skeletal conditions for the patient.

Given the fact that dealing with the health and welfare of the public is no easy matter, physicians undergo a long formal education as well as take part in rigorous hands-on training. A person who wants to be a doctor will spend several years in school and in the hospital. He or she will pursue a four year undergraduate study; go on to pursue four more years of medical school, and another three to five years of residency. There are others who want to specialize will have to sign up for a fellowship which takes one to three years to complete.

What's the Difference Between the Two?

You may have heard about physiotherapy once or twice, and seeing the overlapping roles these health care providers sometimes exhibit, it is quite easy to confuse them with doctors. Aside from the level of education and training, there is another aspect of health care that differentiate a physician from a physiotherapist.

A medical doctor is legally qualified to issue medical prescriptions while a physiotherapist lacks this eligibility. Different from the main function of a physician which is to prescribe medications, a physiotherapist is more inclined into providing a targeted treatment program to restore the patient's functional capacity.

How Does a Physiotherapist and a Physician Work Together?

In some cases, a physician's referral is needed to be able to utilize the services of a physiotherapist but this is mostly in instances wherein insurance coverage is needed. Physicians are also known to refer patients to physiotherapists when the health condition merits the need for physical therapy treatment.

However, you can directly contact a local physiotherapist should a need arise. You can simply walk in to a physio clinic and talk with a physiotherapy doctor about your health problems. This direct practice is supported by physiotherapist throughout Canada since it can benefit the patient by doing away with referrals which are otherwise unnecessary. It also saves a lot of time and boost the outcome of the treatment.

If you are seeking medical help, it is easy to be confused with the term physiotherapy & doctors. You have to be aware of the difference between a physiotherapist and a physician when it comes to MSK injuries, since they provide slightly different approaches.

Acute and chronic health problems are better communicated with a physician whereas pain and mobility issues can be addressed.