This manual presents an overview of physiotherapy related to physiotherapy activities in ICRC/ICRC supported projects as well as some recommendations. It is addressed mainly to physiotherapists but is also of interest for physical rehabilitation and hospital program managers and their interdisciplinary team members. Physiotherapy is an essential activity of the physical rehabilitation and hospital services which needs be better known and acknowledged.
This document was developed based on the ICRC field needs and the lack of basic physiotherapy activities description in published literature and contains topics on setting up and managing a physiotherapy department. It is based on strong clinical practice and some evidence based references and aims at providing practical guidance to ensure quality of care during all project phases. In order to develop physiotherapy services, it is essential to integrate other health professionals as well as experts from Water and Habitat, logistics or administration.