The role of physiotherapists in addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been highlighted in a recent qualitative study published in the South African Journal of Physiotherapy. This study explores how physiotherapists can contribute to achieving health-related SDGs, including promoting gender equality, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, and combating HIV/AIDS and other chronic diseases.
Key Findings
- Addressing HIV/AIDS and Chronic Diseases: Physiotherapists can play a significant role in managing and preventing complications of HIV/AIDS and chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. This involves health promotion, exercise prescription, and patient education.
- Improving Maternal Health: Physiotherapists can assist in antenatal and postnatal care, helping to reduce complications during delivery and improve overall maternal health through targeted exercise programs and health education.
- Reducing Child Mortality: Physiotherapists can contribute to reducing child mortality by offering post-surgical physiotherapy and promoting healthy behaviors among children and their caregivers.
- Empowering Women: Physiotherapists, predominantly female in South Africa, can mentor younger women and empower them to take active roles in their communities, including health and education sectors.
- Inclusive Education for Children with Disabilities: Physiotherapists can help achieve inclusive education by early screening, optimizing function in the school environment, and educating school staff on handling children with disabilities.
Implications for Practice
To implement these findings, practitioners should consider integrating health promotion and disease prevention strategies into their daily practice. Collaboration with other healthcare providers and ongoing professional development can also enhance the role of physiotherapists in achieving the SDGs.
Further research is needed to fully understand the scope of physiotherapy in the context of the SDGs. Practitioners are encouraged to engage in research activities to contribute to this growing field of knowledge.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Do physiotherapists have a role to play in the Sustainable Development Goals? A qualitative exploration
