Oct. 20, 2026

Beyond Borders: International Collaboration in Physiotherapy

Show Notes

Your License Is Local, Your Profession Is Global: World Physiotherapy at APTA ELC

Live from the APTA Educational Leadership Conference in Washington, DC, PTA Plus discusses how international collaboration can strengthen physical therapy education and patient care with World Physiotherapy’s Ann Nicholson and David Fathalikhani. They explain World Physiotherapy as the global connector and voice for the profession, representing 129 member organizations, and note that APTA members already have access through their APTA number, including regional and specialty group resources like webinars and continuing education.

The conversation highlights shared global challenges such as direct access, education standards, scope of practice, regulation, payment systems, and health system roles, and emphasizes learning from different perspectives. They preview the World Physiotherapy Congress in May 2027 in Guadalajara, Mexico, featuring global networking, structured sessions, and offsite clinical experiences, and discuss language support. They encourage PTs and PTAs to engage globally, citing efforts to establish the profession in regions like Central Asia, including graduating the first PT class in Tajikistan.

00:00 Sponsor Message

00:44 Why Go Global

01:36 What World Physio Does

04:02 Shared Global Challenges

06:22 How Programs Get Involved

08:48 Why Congress Matters

11:58 Language and Communication

13:02 PTA Role Worldwide

14:19 Success Stories and Get Connected

16:32 Plus Point Closing Thoughts

19:20 Wrap Up and Disclaimer

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