DIFFERENCES & SIMILARITIES

BETWEEN

Nursing & Physiotherapy

In
United Kingdom
2008

By:
MOTILAL DASS
RN (India), HNC Health Care (Scotland)

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 NURSING

The international council of nursing defines nursing as ‘Nursing encompasses

autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups and
communities, sick or well and in all settings. Nursing includes the promotion of
health, prevention of illness, and the care of ill, disabled and dying people. Advocacy,
promotion of a safe environment, research, participation in shaping health policy and
in patient and health systems management, and education are also key nursing roles’
(International Council of Nursing)’.

Professional Education and Training: Each professional field requires the certain
levels in order to get trained. All applicants must be able to demonstrate evidence of
literacy, numeracy and good character. The minimum entry age is seventeen and a
half years of age.
In United Kingdom the nursing education is for three years and it also involves the
supervised placement in one of the NHS hospital.

Professional registration and the principles of the nursing professions: After the
successful completion of the course all nurses in United Kingdom is registered to
practice the profession. The Nursing and Midwifery Council is the registering body
for nurses. The Nursing and Midwifery Council sets forth the rules and regulation as
to how the practical approach should be. Nursing care is made effective through the
guidelines of this governing body.

Code of conduct: ‘As a registered nurse, midwife or specialist community public

health, you are personally accountable for your practice’, (Nursing & Midwifery
Council). All the nurses are expected to abide by the professional code of conduct as
it unveils the professional efficiency.

Continuing professional development:

Continuing professional development is necessary to keep the knowledge an up to

date. ‘Staffs will be encouraged to access to education which enables them to improve
their clinical practice rather than collecting qualifications for their own sake’,
(Common Foundation Studies in Nursing).

Clinical Governance:‘The impact of clinical governance in the respect was that Trusts
were required to put into place systems that not produced information on which
development could be based but also put into place systems which enabled them to
disseminate information’, (Common Foundation Studies in Nursing). It simply
governs the all activities how the systems work effectively.

Evidenced Based Practice: It is stated that, ‘ Developments have taken place over
previous years with the intention of ensuring that the quality of research and evidence
at the disposal of the clinicians was such that it could drive improvements in practice’,
(Common Foundation Studies in Nursing). To make the work more effective it
should have co-ordination with the theory and the practical approach.

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Ethical Issues and professional boundaries:‘ As a registered nurse, midwife or
specialist community public health nurse you must maintain your professional
knowledge and competence’, (Nursing & Midwifery Council).

Collaborative working with multidisciplinary team: In order to deliver the holistic

nursing care it is essential to work in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team. It
simply enhances the better patient outcome thereby minimising the risk.

The Role of Nurses: In care settings environment the role of nurses are manifold. It
includes entire nursing care, beginning from the admission till discharge and even in
the home setting where the clients requires to be seen frequently by the district nurse.

Parameters, accountability and responsibility: The Nursing and Midwifery Council

states that, ‘As a registered nurse, midwife or specialist community public health
nurse you are personally accountable for your practice’; (Nursing & Midwifery
Council). Nurses are solely responsible for all the care they render the patients/
clients.

Referral: In case if the existing condition of the client or patient deteriorates and if it
is assumed that a member of a multidisciplinary team can play a role then immediate
referrals can be done.

Role of Professional Supervision: As a competent and well experienced nurse or

midwife some times it becomes clear to help the juniors or students nurses. It’s good
to possess some sorts of managerial skill in order to run the activities much smoothly.

Conclusion: Its wonderful experience to take care of sick people as a nurse and to
share their burdens while they are bedridden.Its tender care which alleviates the
suffering and boosts the mental strength.

PHYSIOTHERAPY

Introductions: Physiotherapy is an Allied Health Care Profession. When considering

its role in a multidisciplinary team, it plays an integral part of the team. In a recent
study it was argued that physiotherapy is a science-based healthcare profession
(Chartered Society of Physiotherapists). Physiotherapists specialise in treating
physical problems caused by accidents, illness and ageing particularly those affecting
the neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

Professional education and training: Each profession requires different types of

curricula to impart for the learners and it also varies the admission requirement. The
NHS Career UK states that the entry requirements for physiotherapy course are the
same as those for all degree courses. Each university has slightly different entry
requirements. But in Scotland the entry qualifications, ‘A typical student profile is
five SCE Highers at grades AABBB taken at one siting (minimum of two science
subjects),’ Stated by NHS Scotland. The training consists of a recognised four year
university-based course leading to a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy which includes the
hospital placements also.

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Professional registration:

After the completion of the four years course in the university then the candidate
becomes eligible for state registration, which is essential for working as a
Physiotherapist in NHS. The professional body which holds the power for registering
the Physiotherapist are the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and the Health
Professions Council (HPC).

Principles of the care professions:

In each health care profession there is a set of principles which are set by the
governing body and in case of physiotherapy it’s also true. Here’s the governing body
is the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and the Health Professions Council
(HPC). Physiotherapists are obliged to abide by them.

Code of conduct: In each health care profession there is code of conduct and in terms
of code of conduct; The Chartered Society of Physiotherapist formulated the
guidelines. It says ‘Chartered physiotherapists shall adhere at all times to personal and
professional standards which reflect credit on the profession; behaviour, approach and
dress should not cause offence to the patient and carer’.

Continuing professional development: Continuing professional development is one of

the main strands in the Work Based Learning for qualified physiotherapists,
physiotherapy assistants and student physiotherapists.The Chartered Society of
Physiotherapists defines the CPD as 'CPD is a systematic, ongoing structured process
of maintaining, developing and enhancing skills, knowledge and competence both
professionally and personally in order to improve performance at work.' (CSP 2003)

Clinical governance: Sam Galbraith MP Minister for Health (June 1998) defines
Clinical Governance as ‘ Clinical Governance is the vital ingredient which will enable
us to achieve a Health Service in which the quality of Health care is Paramount’ and
he also states it as ‘ corporate accountability for clinical practice’.’Clinical
governance is a frame work for making the heath care professionals accountable, to
improve quality of service and safeguarding the standards’ (Kensworthy and et al -
2002). So basically Clinical Governance ensures the quality of care the
Physiotherapists render to clients who receives the care.

Evidenced Based Practice: The evidenced based practice is one of the important
components to keep in mind and while practicing the profession. The practice should
have scientific rationale behind it while performing patient oriented activities The
most well used definition of evidence-based practice is that it is the 'Conscientious,
explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care
of individual patients.' (Sackett, et al 1996)

Ethical Issues and professional boundaries: Respecting patient autonomy and

obtaining their informed consent is important. Physiotherapists also need to be non-
judgemental and non-discriminatory in terms of providing the care to his clients. To
have a knowledge of and comply with Trust Policies and Procedures.

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Collaborative working with multidisciplinary team: In collaboration with the other
team members the Physiotherapists work. The follow the guidance and instructions of
their superior member of the team. When a client or patient is referred to them then
they do the needful. To be the physiotherapy lead within the multi-disciplinary team,
providing specialist advice to other specialist health professionals, such as
psychologists, orthotists, consultants, social care professionals, allied health services
and others as necessary.

The Role of the Physiotherapist: The Role of the Physiotherapist in the care setting is
invaluable. The physiotherapist’s (PT) role in the management of patients with
disease is to work in partnership with the patient to enable them to achieve and
maintain optimal function and independence.

Parameters that occur within professional practice including: Accountability and

responsibility‘Accountablity means responsible for something to someone’. to the
NMC code of professional conduct: standards for conduct, performance and ethics (
Nursing & Midwifery Council) be constantly aware of patient confidentiality and to
act at all times as a responsible member of the hospital team and to promote good
public relations. A great deal of responsibilities lies in Physiotherapists. They are
responsible to give time to time to their designated clients or patients.

Knowing the limits of own abilities: Physiotherapists can assess a person’s level of
mobility and work with them to maintain movement and they know the limitations
and anything which requires more then the capacity then additional advice they can
seek.

Referral to other practitioners is appropriate: After constant care if the there exist no
sign of patient progress then they can refer the patient/client to the superior
professionals (physicians, surgeons etc), who can handle the case effectively.

Role of Professional Supervision as a Physiotherapist: To provide a high quality,

expert physiotherapy service to patirnts/clients.Undertaking the lead role in the
assessment, diagnosis and formulation of physiotherapy treatment to inpatients and
outpatients in the departments.

Conclusion: It’s an interesting profession. Physiotherapy is a rehabilitation orientated

profession. In order to study and work in this field one has to be very keen enough in
all the activities which promote the health status of the patient or the client.

Overall conclusion of Nursing and Physiotherapy: Both of these health care

professions require a set of guidelines which are put forth by their respective
governing body and both of these professions are interlinked, when considering the
patient care. Only variations is found in terms of the practical work where nurses are
with the patients throughout the clock and the physiotherapists accompany patients
only when the patients are referred or need to be seen by them.

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References:

Sackett, et al (1996) British Medical Journal .312: 71-2

Kensworthy N, Snowley G, Gilling C (2002): Common Foundation Studies in Nursing

3rd ed.Edinburugh: Churchill Livingstone. p.52

NMC code of professional conduct: standards for conduct, performance and ethics
(Nursing & Midwifery Council) p.13

www.dbweb.liv.ac.uk
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
www.csp.org.uk
www.mstrust.org.uk

Author:
Motilal Dass
Registered Nurse (India)
HNC Health Care (Scotland)

E-mail:
motilald@hotmail.com

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