Primary Care

Roles for PTs in primary care

OPA is continuously advocating for physiotherapists to be included in more primary care teams across the province. We know that PTs in primary care improve access to health services, work collaboratively with other providers to build more capacity in primary care teams, reduce emergency department visits, lead to better outcomes for patients, and enhance continuity of care for patients. OPA promotes the unique relationships that have been established between private clinics and primary care organizations to increase access to physiotherapy care. In 2015, OPA was one of the strong advocates leading to the addition of PTs to Family Health Teams in Ontario.

Scope of practice

OPA advocates for the implementation of outstanding scope of practice authorities – ordering diagnostic imaging and laboratory tests – which would enable first contact roles in primary care teams for PTs. In addition to the authority to communicate a diagnosis, ordering diagnostics better enables roles where physiotherapists are the first point of contact and follow up for people accessing primary care services for musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. MSK issues represent 20-30% of all primary care visits (MacKay 2010). Such a collaborative model within a primary care team leads to improved efficiency and coordination, and patients are able to access the right provider at the right time.

Recruitment and retention

The inclusion of PTs in primary care also requires a focus on recruitment and retention by OPA. We promote improved understanding and clarity of the roles and scope of physiotherapists. Improved knowledge mobilization creates readiness for implementing more opportunities to include physiotherapist positions, and better integration with primary care teams. Along with advocacy for fair compensation and working to full PT scope, recruitment and retention improves in this sector. Additionally, OPA directly supports primary care organizations with job listing creation and promotion and was part of the team that created educational modules on PT in primary care.

The Primary Care Advisory Committee serves your interests.

The Primary Care Advisory Committee is made up of volunteer members who advise OPA staff and the Board of Directors on issues affecting physiotherapy in primary care settings.

This committee supports members and promotes quality physiotherapy services within primary care organizations across Ontario.

Interested in joining? We welcome new volunteer members who want to help shape the future of physiotherapy in primary care. Contact us a physiomail@opa.on.ca.

Advertise job openings to our members

OPA posts job opportunities for physiotherapists and physiotherapist assistants on our site daily and these listings are complimentary for positions in family health teams, nurse practitioner-led clinics, community health centres and Aboriginal Health Access Centres.

All listings are circulated monthly in our Jobs & Classifieds e-blast, helping you reach the right audience for your clinic.

Tools and advocacy for those working in primary care

Primary Care – News & Updates

Primary Care – Advocacy Updates

Primary Care – Our Top Three Priorities

Information to help you in primary care.

Primary Care – Events

The Primary Care Advisory Committee serves your interests.

Advertise job openings to our members

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