Physiotherapy Today – Trends and Challenges

AbstractPhysiotherapy is a healthcare profession focused on the rehabilitation of impairments anddisabilities, on one hand, and the promotion of motor and functional abilities, as well asoverall quality of life, on the other. The aim of this article was a theoretical considerationof the current situation in the field of physiotherapy with a tendency to indicate the trendsof its development in the world and the most significant challenges that physiotherapy, asa profession and as a scientific discipline, faces in a global framework. Theoreticalconsideration of the state, trends and challenges in the field of physiotherapy was carriedout on the basis of a review of available professional and scientific literature and analysisof acts of representative international professional associations and other institutions ofimportance for the development of physiotherapy. In addition, the author's direct practicalexperiences acquired during many years of work in higher education in the field ofphysiotherapy and project activities in the same framework are also grounded in theanalysis. The results of the analysis indicate that contemporary physiotherapy practice isgrounded in an active approach within the framework of functional rehabilitation, aimed atmaximizing functional potential, optimizing participation in daily life, and improvingoverall quality of life. Additionally, modern physiotherapists are expected to criticallyanalyze research literature and base their practice on evidence-based methods proven to beeffective. Based on current trends and developments in physiotherapy, it can be concludedthat physiotherapy practice worldwide is predominantly based on the principles ofbiopsychosocial rehabilitation and a holistic approach to patient care.Keywords: physiotherapy practice, physiotherapy research, physiotherapisteducation