By Chad Klassen

Physiotherapists feel they can help ease doctor shortage

Mar 7, 2017 | 10:45 AM

KAMLOOPS — In light of the ongoing doctor shortage in the Kamloops region, the Physiotherapy Association of B.C. is calling on the province to utilize more physiotherapists to ease pressure on the medical system.

The association made an appearance in Kamloops on Tuesday to unveil its third of five papers leading up to the May 9 provincial election. The third paper, Primary Care in B.C., conveys how physiotherapists can help treat patients without the need to see a family doctor.

“What we are doing is saying that the primary care team is really the answer to all of the issues in respect to wait times and physician shortages,” said the CEO of the Physiotherapy Association of B.C. Christine Bradstock. “And we believe that physiotherapists are a great component of the team answer to providing that primary care.

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The association chose Kamloops due to the doctor shortage. It argues physiotherapy could greatly help in reducing wait times in the system.

“Physiotherapists can assist in the assessment, so triage, the first point of contact,” said Bradstock. “Looking at the issues, working in partnership with the GP and making an assessment as to whether or not the person should be having physiotherapy as the answer or moving on to needing hip or knee replacement.”

by Chad Klassen

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Physiotherapists feel they can help ease doctor shortage

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