Are our curricula still relevant?

Abstract

Very few physiotherapists are concerned with community health and the care of the elderly has a low priority amongst members of our profession. In a recent survey of our universities, it was found that very little time was allocated to preventive health and even less time was spent on gerontology during student training. All member organisations of the WCPT have been requested to place greater emphasis on geriatric care at pre-qualification level as well as in physiotherapy practice. The need to change our attitudes towards the elderly are discussed and ideas on preventive and promotive health are presented for possible inclusion in the undergraduate curriculum.