A few months ago a new international group was formed by people interested in the history of physiotherapy. The International Physiotherapy History Association (IPHA) is a collection of clinicians, policy-makers, researchers, students and teachers, who are interested in bringing physiotherapy history alive. The group will be working over the next few years to promote the history of physiotherapy as a resource for present-day practice, professional decision-making, management and leadership, teaching, and regulation; to celebrate our past; challenge the profession to learn from its history; and support the safe archiving for future generations. But why now? Well perhaps the group … [Read more...] about Are you interested in the history of physiotherapy?
First network meet-up: huge grins!
Despite the terrible choice of locations I pre-planned from Australia by looking at an (inaccurate) map of the conference venue, most of the Critical Physiotherapy Network members who were at WCPT 2015 in Singapore were able to meet up during afternoon tea on the second day of the conference. A huge thank you to Carol McCrum for initiating the meet up. An wonderful group of critical minded physiotherapists were present. Names are listed in order of appearance in the picture from left to right: Joan McMeeken, Petronella Van De Merwe, Carol McCrum,Veronika Schoeb (front row of photo), Amy Hiller, Lester Jones, Jenny Setchell, Uffe Holmsgaard Rasmussen, Anita Hartmeier (back row of photo) … [Read more...] about First network meet-up: huge grins!
Idea 22: Profiling physiotherapy in different countries (2 mins)
Every day during September we will post up an idea for you to vote on. The most popular ideas will become the things that the inaugural Organizing Committee of the Critical Physiotherapy Network focuses on in 2015. So please make sure you cast your vote at the bottom of each post. Although the physiotherapy profession has its origins in a few common historical moments, it has diversified to an incredible degree, to the point that the World Confederation of Physical Therapists is now constituted by 106 member organisations and more than 350,000 practising members. And although there are going to be many commonalities between the kinds of practice seen in countries as diverse as … [Read more...] about Idea 22: Profiling physiotherapy in different countries (2 mins)
Idea 13: Becoming an action group (3 mins)
Every day during September we will post up an idea for you to vote on. The most popular ideas will become the things that the inaugural Organizing Committee of the Critical Physiotherapy Network focuses on in 2015. So please make sure you cast your vote at the bottom of each post. The first invitation I sent out to people to join the Critical Physiotherapy Network mentioned that 'The end result would be a network of people who could then be brought together in hyperspace to share ideas and plan for world domination.' I had no idea at the time that this might now be possible! Not only are we represented in four continents and 20 countries around the world, but we also have people … [Read more...] about Idea 13: Becoming an action group (3 mins)
Idea 10: Have different membership categories (2 mins)
Every day during September we will post up an idea for you to vote on. The most popular ideas will become the things that the inaugural Organizing Committee of the Critical Physiotherapy Network focuses on in 2015. So please make sure you cast your vote at the bottom of each post. Our original idea was for us to use a snowball referral system to bring people into the Network. People who we knew were critical thinkers would invite others they knew to be of a similar mind and the group would grow organically. None of us really anticipated quite how popular the group would be once we got started, and no-one really thought that it might prove to be a popular forum for people who were … [Read more...] about Idea 10: Have different membership categories (2 mins)
Idea 8: Make the group open to non-physios (2 mins)
Every day during September we will post up an idea for you to vote on. The most popular ideas will become the things that the inaugural Organizing Committee of the Critical Physiotherapy Network focuses on in 2015. So please make sure you cast your vote at the bottom of each post. From the outset, this group has been about developing a critical attitude towards physiotherapy. We're a small organization, just finding our feet, and it's made sense for us to start modestly - not wanting to take on too much and risk losing our focus. Besides, physiotherapy is so far away from being a diverse, inclusive, critically-conscious profession that we could work solidly for the next 20 years … [Read more...] about Idea 8: Make the group open to non-physios (2 mins)
Idea 5: Offer awards for the best critical research (2 mins)
Every day during September we will post up an idea for you to vote on. The most popular ideas will become the things that the inaugural Organizing Committee of the Critical Physiotherapy Network focuses on in 2015. So please make sure you cast your vote at the bottom of each post. Any new field needs promoting and awards are a great way to encourage people to strive for a goal. Awards can be crass and elitist - but only if they are more about the style than the substance. Our awards could be a more egalitarian affair, focusing on people's contribution to the field, support for others, or the boldness of their ideas. As we mentioned in yesterday's ideas post, we have some world … [Read more...] about Idea 5: Offer awards for the best critical research (2 mins)