WCPT Rules

The WCPT articles of Association are constantly being updated.  One of the early rules of major importance was that which stated “physiotherapists must treat on referral from a medical practitioner”.  When the physiotherapy profession began in the late 1890’s,  in order to grow and develop as a new profession,  it accepted medical patronage and dominance.  Physiotherapists agreed not to treat any patients unless a medical practitioner had referred them.  Disquiet about this issue grew over the years and came to a head in the mid 1970’s as physiotherapists increasingly came to believe that doctors did not know enough about physiotherapy,  or what it could offer.  Australia rescinded this rule in 1976,  which was contrary to the WCPT requirement insisting on medical referral,  and could have led lead to expulsion from WCPT for Australia[1].  The United Kingdom and New Zealand also rescinded this rule in 1976,  and Canada in 1978.  The important ethical principle about referral by a medical practitioner was discussed at the meeting in Israel in 1978,  and was rescinded.

In 1980 the WCPT made a case against a proposal by the World Health Organisation to promote the introduction and establishment of multi-purpose rehabilitation therapists.  Some of these positions have been established in some underdeveloped countries with training programmes.

Special meeting in London 1988 This meeting made impressive progress to update the functioning of the confederation.  Major alterations agreed to include one vote per country instead of one vote per 1000 members,  and an acceptance of regionalisation.  Jennifer Pryor and Ian Searle represented NZ at the meeting.

The World President elected in 1989 was Australian Brian Davey - an ex New Zealander.  The other significant restructuring in 1991 concerned the Executive.  Each region now had a representative on Executive with expenses now paid for by the world body rather than the member’s own country as in the past.  Doreen Bauer of Australia was the Asia Pacific representative.  A motion was put at the 1995 General Meeting “That the title World Confederation for Physical Therapy” be changed to “World Confederation of Physiotherapists”.  Redrafted WCPT Ethical principles were presented at the General Meeting in Washington in 1995.  Changes were made there to the Articles of Association, - the major purpose of this was to enable better clarification of roles and reflect the change to Regionalisation.  The WCPT was in a sound financial position in 1995 and was looking at ways of making funds for special projects more accessible to the member countries.  Informal discussions were held on many topics at Washington in 1995.  NZ was amongst the leaders in the world in regard to standards of practice,  competencies required of entry level practitioners,  familiarity with current literature and access to continuing education.

1996 was a quiet year but a lot of work went on at management level.  PR brochures on WCPT were produced,  and the updated WCPT Articles of Association and Declarations of Principles and Position Statements were published.

The WCPT publishes a regular newsletter - WCPT News - an Annual Report,  information leaflets and reports of WCPT events and projects.  The five Regional groups also publish regular newsletters,  informing regional members of the happenings specific to each country.

The Task Force established as a result of concern raised at 1995 meeting in Washington to discuss education,  credentialling and recruitment met in November 1997.  Work continued to establish quality in physiotherapy - there were moves to forward the international interest in quality assurance.  Work began for a web site in 1998.

The WCPT Executive accepted recommendations in March 1998 to develop guidelines for a standard approach to the documentation of education programmes;  to collect statistics on the extent of international recruitment,  and to explore issues related to standards of education and practice.  This will continue into 1999-2000 work period.

The World President elected in 1989 was Australian Brian Davey - an ex New Zealander.

The prestigious Mildred Elson Award for Research Scholarship in International Leadership in Physical Therapy was awarded to Joan Walker,  a New Zealand trained physiotherapist practising in Canada,  at the WCPT Congress in Yokohama, Japan in May 1999.

When Jill Howard represented NZ at the 14th General meeting in Yokohama Japan 21-23 May 1999 part of proceedings focussed on - “ Internal communication How do we make it effective?” and Vision for the future, where do we want WCPT to be 10 years from now?” 

[1] NZJP May 1978 - page 45 & 46 -