Global Advanced Practice Physiotherapy Competency Framework

Definition of APP

APP is a broad term that refers to expert physiotherapists who employ a higher level of competencies and expertise with additional responsibilities and autonomy to manage complex and challenging health needs of individuals, families and populations within or beyond their scope of practice. Advanced practice physiotherapists demonstrate competencies as expert clinician, communicator, collaborator, leader, health advocate, scholar, and professional.

APP Domains & Competencies

Select a domain to explore

6 Domains
24 Competencies
24
Competencies
  1. Tawiah, A. K., Wieler, M., Miller, J., Rushton, A., & Woodhouse, L. (2025). What is the global perspective on advanced practice physiotherapy: A qualitative study across five countries. PloS one, 20(4), e0320842.
  2. Tawiah, A. K., Stokes, E., Wieler, M., Desmeules, F., Finucane, L., Lewis, J., ... & Woodhouse, L. J. (2025). Evaluating the importance of a core competency and capability framework for advanced practice physiotherapy: A cross-sectional survey. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 41(4), 721–733.
  3. Tawiah, A. K., Stokes, E., Wieler, M., Desmeules, F., Finucane, L., Lewis, J., ... & Woodhouse, L. J. (2024). Developing a core competency and capability framework for advanced practice physiotherapy: A qualitative study. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 40(7), 1477–1491.
  4. Tawiah, A. K., Stokes, E., Wieler, M., Desmeules, F., Finucane, L., Lewis, J., ... & Woodhouse, L. J. (2024). Developing an international competency and capability framework for advanced practice physiotherapy: a scoping review with narrative synthesis. Physiotherapy, 122, 3–16.