A comparison of Australian and Swedish physiotherapists' views of professional practice

Australian and Swedish physiotherapists' attitudes towards their knowledge and professional practice were compared. Attitudes reflecting the new public health model emphasising therapist-client interaction, client responsibility and holistic attitudes towards health care prevailed in both national groups, although generally these attitudes were endorsed to a greater extent by the Swedes than by the Australians. Gender differences within each national group were found with female physiotherapists in both countries expressing more holistic attitudes than males. Differences between Australian physiotherapists working within the public health sector and those in private practice were found, indicating that further research is required to investigate the effect of workplace setting and professional practice.