Glosary

WCPT Glossary: Terms used in
WCPT’s policies and resources
Version 1.0
October 2011

WCPT Glossary
October 2011
Version 1.0
Page 1 of 41

World Confederation for Physical Therapy
WCPT Glossary: Terms used in WCPT’s policies and resources
Version 1.0, October 2011
Purpose: the WCPT glossary has been developed to support WCPT’s work on policies, guidelines and
other resources (egdatabase of experts, common data set), to ensure consistency in terminology and to
aid international interpretation. It has also been developed as a resource in its own right for member
organisations, regions and subgroups to use. WCPT recommends that local terms are only used where
the international term is not applicable.
Terms have been fully referenced to original sources. Where terms havebeen developed by WCPT they
should be referenced to the WCPT glossary:
World Confederation for Physical Therapy. WCPT Glossary: Terms used in WCPT’s policies
and resources. London, UK: WCPT; 2011.

The glossary is not intended to be an exhaustive A-Z of terms used in physical therapy.
Updates: an annual review of the glossary will take place. Member organisations, regions and
subgroups cansuggest amendments and terms for inclusion in the glossary where they are
internationally applicable.

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Term

Definition

Ability to practise

Ability to practise — the composite of the physical therapist’s demonstrated
possession of: the requisite knowledge andskills earned through an approved
physical therapist professional entry-level educational programme; the capability
to communicate at a professional level; and the capability to communicate in the
language/s required in order to protect the public. Ability to practise also
necessitates that the physical therapist be free of: previous convictions and
imprisonment for offences that mightadversely affect others; professional
disciplinary proceedings in the home state, country or other country; any health
diseases, disorders or conditions that may adversely affect practice.
World Confederation for Physical Therapy. WCPT guideline for the development of a
system of legislation/regulation/recognition of physical therapists. London, UK: WCPT;
2011.www.wcpt.org/guidelines/regulation-legislation (Access date 22nd September 2011)

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October 2011
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Term

Definition

Academic quality

Academic quality — is a way of describing how well the learning opportunities
available to physical therapy students help them to achieve their award. It is
making sure that appropriate and effective teaching, support, assessment and
learningopportunities are provided for all students.
European Region World Confederation for Physical Therapy. European Region World
Confederation for Physical Therapy Glossary of Terms. Brussels, Belgium: ER-WCPT;
2010.

Academic
standard

Academic standard — a description of the level of achievement that a student has
to reach to gain an academic award (for example, a degree). It should be at asimilar level across higher education institutions (HEIs) within a single country. It
is intended that there should be comparable levels across the European Region,
and that this will be facilitated by guidance documents such as the Physiotherapy
Benchmark Statement.
European Region World Confederation for Physical Therapy. European Region World
Confederation for Physical Therapy Glossary ofTerms. Brussels, Belgium: ER-WCPT;
2010.

Access by
referral

Access by referral — the patient/client has access to the physical therapist by
referral from another health professional (medical practitioner or other).
European Region World Confederation for Physical Therapy. European Region World
Confederation for Physical Therapy Glossary of Terms. Brussels, Belgium: ER-WCPT;
2010....