The role of physiotherapists has evolved from a primarily rehabilitative discipline toward a more autonomous and integrated model of healthcare. As responsibilities expand, the question of whether physiotherapists should hold limited prescribing rights has become increasingly relevant.
Objective: This review examines international developments in physiotherapist prescribing between 2020 and 2025, evaluating educational standards, policy frameworks, clinical outcomes, and ethical implications.
Methods: A systematic narrative review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Searches across PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and Scopus identified empirical studies, policy documents, and educational frameworks discussing pharmacological competence and prescriptive authority in physiotherapy. Data were synthesized using thematic and comparative policy analysis.
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- Tobias Giesen (Author), 2025, Pharmacological Competence and Prescriptive Authority in Physiotherapy. Opportunities, Prerequisites, and Ethical Boundaries, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1670681
