Adapted from the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA)

Background
Since 1990, the APA's Quality Endorsement Programme has aimed to improve the standard of physiotherapy care to patients, referrers and the general community.

The key strengths of the programme are based on the following principles:

• leadership
• well-being of physiotherapy patients
• provision of quality physiotherapy care
• appropriate standards
• education/professional development
• commitment to set a benchmark for physiotherapy practice
• safe facilities and equipment
• appropriate professional conduct
• sound business planning
• continuous improvement
• self-regulation
• educative survey process

Continual Improvement
In the current health care climate, purchasers of physiotherapy services are placing increasing emphasis on the quality of service delivery. Participation in the Programme demonstrates to external agencies a commitment to quality care and provides a mechanism to improve standards.

The early emphasis of the Programme was based on a practical framework for achieving standards set by the physiotherapy profession. The evolving emphasis now embraces the concept of continuous quality improvement that sets the framework for a total business management strategy.

Positive Outcomes
Our evidence clearly shows that practices/departments are able to demonstrate positive change in professional service delivery through the process of the APA Quality Endorsement Programme

Many positive changes have been evident in clinical records, initial assessment and clinical reasoning. This is important as it demonstrates that practising physiotherapists are willing and able to improve their record keeping and change their clinical behaviour through the accreditation process.

For more information on the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA), go to their website.
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