Accurate and timely clinical documentation (‘notes’) is one of the most important safeguards in physiotherapy practice. 

 A casual comment on a patient’s appearance. Forgetting to provide an adequately sized towel for a patient to cover themselves. 

Not clearly explaining the manual therapy involved as part of the treatment. 

All registered health professionals are required by law to notify Ahpra about the conduct of another health professional that puts the public at risk of harm. 

This is referred to as a mandatory notification. 

All practitioners try to avoid harm when treating their patients but if something does go wrong, being honest and open about what has happened needs to be the starting point of making things right.

The type of harm a patient might experience during or as a result of treatment can include physical, social or psychological harm. 

Two of the most common areas of risk for physiotherapists are complaints made against them and cybercrime. 

Complaints 

Ahpra’s 2023–24 annual report provides an overview of the agency’s activity in the previous year. 

The Physiotherapy Board of Australia regulates the way physiotherapists practise, protecting public safety by ensuring that they meet certain standards and obligations. What you might not know is that these obligations extend to the way physiotherapists advertise their services. 

When ending an employment relationship, employers must follow a fair and lawful process. 

Unfair dismissal claims are one of the most common matters handled by the Fair Work Commission (FWC) and the consequences of getting it wrong can be significant—both to an employer’s finances and to their reputation. 

Ahpra’s annual report for 2023–24 shows that 320 notifications were made about physiotherapists—an increase of nearly 45 per cent compared to the previous year. 

Workplace conflict is something every employer will face and how it’s handled can greatly affect productivity, employee satisfaction and the overall work environment. 

Conflict arises from differing attitudes, opinions, approaches or perspectives on a situation, issue or person.