Physiotherapists

These pages provide access to resources and literature relevant to the practice of palliative care for physiotherapists.

Role in palliative care
This information will help you to find out more about working in palliative care. It may include narratives from those working in the area, descriptions of the role, or identify why the position is important.

The care and management of patients with lymphoedema often falls within the remit of a physiotherapist. The Lymphoedema Association of Australia has further information.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (UK) has produced position statements entitled 'The role of physiotherapy for people with cancer' and 'The effectiveness of physiotherapy in the palliative care of older people'.

Palliative care education and training
There are different ways to develop your knowledge and skills in palliative care. Web based learning modules, short courses and specialist palliative care courses and training are offered in many organisations and universities. Further information can be found on the Education pages of CareSearch.

The Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach (PEPA) is an initiative under the National Palliative Care Program. It is a supported multidisciplinary course with work placements, offered across the country funded until 2010.

The Occupational Therapy unit at James Cook University offers a postgraduate course 'Allied Health interventions for Palliative Care' which would be relevant for physiotherapists.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association regularly runs professional development activities in the area of palliative care.

Research
Many health professions may be interested in looking at palliative care research questions in their area of specialty. This may be work that is planned for the future. Any palliative care professional regardless of discipline is able to access the CareSearch Research Data Management System (RDMS), a tool developed to support research in palliative care.

Resources
Australian Physiotherapy Association

McAuliffe. AJ, Cantlay. A and Laakso. EL (1997) A Review of Physiotherapy Services to Palliative Care Patients in Australia: Volumes 1 and 2. The Commonwealth Department of Health and Human Services.

The Centre for Palliative Care Research and Education's Allied Health Directory – Southern Area Health Service (Queensland).

Palliative care links and information
Palliative Care Australia is the peak national organisation representing the interests and aspirations of all who share the ideal of quality care at the end of life for all. It has produced the following policy documents:

The Department of Health and Ageing website has a palliative care section.

This page was created on 29 April 2008 and is due for review in April 2010