Polarim: Canada, Canada Immigration.

Care Beyond Hospitals

Many Canadians need a variety of follow-up care and long-term services provided through rehabilitation facilities, home care, chronic care institutions and other programs. Compared to hospitals, relatively little information is available about these types of care, although systematic tracking of the types of patients served and their outcomes is becoming more common.

What We Know

In 1996/97, 185,000 seniors lived in health care institutions. Over half of those who moved into an institution between 1994/95 and 1996/97 were over age 80 and most reported a new diagnosis of certain chronic conditions that often require higher levels of regular care, such as incontinence, stroke, Alzheimer disease or other dementia.

About 12% of seniors reported having received services from provincial home care programs in 1998/99. Assistance with housework was the most commonly reported service, followed by nursing care and personal care.

Studies suggest that home care can be a cost-effective alternative to recovery in hospital or long-term care in residential facilities for some patients. For example, researchers in Saskatchewan found that patients who convalesced at home with the assistance of home care had equally good outcomes and similar satisfaction with care as those who finished recovering in hospital—and the average cost was $830 less per case. A British Columbia study found significant cost savings for the province for many, although not all, continuing care patients who were supported at home.

Family members and friends frequently provide care for older Canadians with long-term health problems and disabilities. In 1996, some 2.1 million adult Canadians, mostly family members, provided support for one or more seniors with a long-term health problem. They reported both pros and cons to caregiving.

What We Don't Know

How well hospital and community-based services are coordinated for people with long-term, chronic health problems.

Outcomes from rehabilitation, home care, continuing care and other types of services and how they compare across the country.

Who uses publicly and privately funded home care services, who provides these services, how effective these services are and how satisfied users are.

The number, types and quality of palliative care services for gravely ill and dying people across the country.

At Work

Physiotherapists work in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centres, extended care facilities and community health organizations; at work sites; and in clients' homes. Many physiotherapists work in private practice. Physiotherapists provide diagnostic and treatment services aimed at restoration or maintenance of function, and the prevention of disability or disfunction. They may focus on particular clinical areas such as neurology sciences, orthopedics, cardiorespiratory health or pediatrics or on the treatment of specific disorders or injuries such as sports injuries, burns or arthritis. Their duties may require them to:

plan and implement individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve or restore patients' physical functions, alleviate pain and prevent physical problems;

assess and test patients' physical abilities and evaluate their progress;

include exercise, manipulations, massage, hydrotherapy and the use of electrotherapeutic and other mechanical equipment as part of their programs;

maintain clinical and statistical records;

confer with other health care professionals;

develop and implement health promotion programs for patients, staff and the community; and

act as physiotherapy consultants or educators.

In These Occupations ...

16,000 people were employed in 1998, an increase of 47.4% from 1988. After employment gains of 14.9% from 1988 to 1993, employment grew 28.4% from 1993 to 1998. In comparison, employment in all occupations grew 12.3% over the same ten years, and 8.2% over the last five.

29% work part-time, compared to an average of 19% for all occupations.

.25% are self-employed, compared to an average of 17% for all occupations. The proportion of self-employed workers in this occupation has increased significantly over the last ten years

83% are women, well above the average of 45% for all occupations

the unemployment rate averaged 1.1% from 1996 to 1998, compared to the national average of 6.0%. This rate is among the lowest for professional occupations and for occupations in the health sector.

the average earnings are among the lowest for professional occupations but are comparable to those for other occupations in the health sector.

National Outlook to 2004

Currently, chances of finding work in this occupation are rated "Good", since employment opportunities are well above average and earnings are at the average level for comparable occupations.

Over the next five years, the outlook is expected to weaken to "Fair". A large influx of recent graduates looking for work in this occupation is expected to lead to rapid growth in the number of qualified job seekers. As a result, despite significant growth in employment opportunities, the number of job seekers is expected to exceed the number of job openings.

Health care reform is redefining how and where physiotherapy services are provided, with private practices becoming increasingly important. The increasing needs of an aging population will be met in part by non-traditional forms of delivery.

Almost all of the increase in employment requirements through 2004 for this occupation is expected to occur in private health practices, hospitals and other health and social services

Download details of Non-Canadian educated applicants to the physiotherapy Competency Examinations. This document will provide forms to be completed by the Dean of the institution where the applicant had done his/her course. CLICK HERE! This document is in Adobe format.