LMRPID-397481
Page 41
1st August 2024
Integrating Physiotherapy in Primary Health Care: A Public Health Approach to Prevent and Manage Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Aging Populations
Author: MD. SOHAG MIAH | LGMID: 27199320190101962
Reviewed by:
Lilac School of Medical Science & Technology (LSMT)
Paper preview
1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Literature Review
4. Methodology
5. Findings
6. Conclusion
7. References
Abstract
As global populations age at an unprecedented rate, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) have emerged as a leading cause of disability, chronic pain, and reduced quality of life among older adults. Despite the growing burden, many health systems continue to underutilize physiotherapy as a core component of primary health care (PHC). This thesis explores the integration of physiotherapy within PHC settings as a sustainable and effective public health strategy to prevent and manage MSDs in aging populations. The study adopts a multidisciplinary approach, synthesizing evidence from epidemiology, physiotherapy, geriatrics, and health systems research to identify key barriers, facilitators, and models of care. Physiotherapy offers non-invasive, cost-effective, and patient-centered interventions that can reduce pain, improve mobility, delay functional decline, and minimize the need for more complex medical procedures. The thesis evaluates existing primary care models across both high-income and low-middle-income countries, highlighting successful programs where physiotherapists are embedded in community clinics, family medicine teams, and home-based care systems. Preventive strategies such as fall prevention, posture correction, ergonomics, and age-appropriate exercise programs are examined alongside therapeutic interventions for managing conditions like osteoarthritis, lower back pain, and sarcopenia. The findings underscore the necessity of policy reforms, workforce training, interprofessional collaboration, and public awareness campaigns to mainstream physiotherapy in PHC. A proposed public health framework is introduced, outlining how early physiotherapy interventions at the primary care level can reduce long-term disability, lower health expenditures, and enhance healthy aging. By positioning physiotherapy as a frontline strategy within public health systems, countries can shift from reactive disease management to proactive health promotion. Ultimately, this thesis advocates for a paradigm shift—where physiotherapy is not viewed as an ancillary service, but as a foundational element of holistic, age-responsive primary care that supports dignity, independence, and well-being in older adults.
References
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Keywords
Physiotherapy, Primary Health Care, Musculoskeletal Disorders, Aging Population, Public Health
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