Physiotherapists on general hospital wards
Who they are, what they do and which devices they use: a research-based profile for recruiting this target group for MedTech and pharma projects.
Overview
Physiotherapists on general wards maintain, improve or restore the mobility and physical function of patients limited by age, illness or accidents. They plan therapy based on medical diagnoses and their own observations and treat with exercises, massage and breathing, electrical, heat or water applications. In hospital they work mainly in patient rooms and treatment rooms. Typical topics of acute inpatient physiotherapy are multimorbidity, older patients with dementia or delirium, dizziness and balance disorders, and care after knee or hip replacement. They advise patients, teach exercises for home and work in the interprofessional team towards a prompt discharge or a structured transfer to rehabilitation.
Profession by country
Fields of use and typical tasks
normal Station
Evidence from: DE, AT, CH
- Early mobilisation of patients after surgery and illness
- Adapting therapy to the clinical picture and physical abilities based on medical diagnoses and orders
- Instructing breathing exercises and coughing techniques for pneumonia prophylaxis after surgery
- Instructing in-bed exercises for thrombosis prophylaxis and strengthening, and exercises sitting on the bed edge after medical clearance
- Treatment with manual therapy, manual lymph drainage, Bobath therapy and trigger point therapy
- Equipment-based physiotherapy exercise
Specializations
Devices and systems they use
Who they work with
- Physicians of the treating departments
- Ward nursing staff
Frequently asked questions
Where does treatment take place?
Depending on the situation, in the patient room on the ward or in the physiotherapy treatment rooms.
Who determines the therapy?
Physiotherapists plan the therapy based on the medical diagnosis and their own observations.
Which applications do they use besides exercises?
The sources name massage and breathing, electrical, heat, cold and water applications. Individual device types are not listed.
Which patient groups do they typically see?
Multimorbid and older patients, including those with dementia or delirium, patients with dizziness and balance disorders, and patients after knee or hip replacement.
What is the goal of treatment on the ward?
Regaining independence as quickly as possible and a discharge with a home exercise programme or a structured transfer to rehabilitation.
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Related target groups
Same work area
Same specialty
Sources
- Steckbrief Physiotherapeut/in (BERUFENET), Bundesagentur für Arbeit, BERUFENET (DE)
- CAS Vertiefung in Akutstationärer Physiotherapie, ZHAW Departement Gesundheit, Institut für Physiotherapie (CH)
- Patienteninformation Physiotherapie (Abteilungsfolder), KMG Klinikum Sömmerda (DE)
- Physio- und Ergotherapie (Flyer), Klinikum Bielefeld gem. GmbH (DE)
- Pneumonie- und Thromboseprophylaxe nach OP (Übungsblatt), Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Physiotherapie Frauenklinik (DE)
- Physiotherapie Rathenow (Flyer), Havelland Kliniken GmbH (DE)
- Physiotherapie, Klinikum Schärding, Oberösterreichische Gesundheitsholding GmbH, Klinikum Schärding (AT)
- Jahresbericht 2020 Physiotherapie, Vorarlberger Krankenhaus-Betriebsgesellschaft, Landeskrankenhaus Bregenz (AT)
- Physiotherapie, Fachbereich Ergo- und Physiotherapie, HOCH Health Ostschweiz (CH)
- Strategie Institut für Physiotherapie COVID-19 Pandemie, 2. Welle, Insel Gruppe AG, Institut für Physiotherapie, Inselspital Bern (CH)