Physiotherapy increasingly important in society

This is mainly due to lifestyle awareness and increase in chronic diseases!

 

Good news for us physiotherapists, because for more and more conditions, the added value of physiotherapy is scientifically demonstrated. This is partly because more and more people have chronic conditions and partly because the majority of the population is engaged in a healthy lifestyle that includes good nutrition and exercise. Physiotherapy plays a role in both preventing (chronic) complaints and recovering from (chronic) complaints.

 

Figures

The increasing importance of the physiotherapist's role is also reflected in the figures. In 1980, seven per cent of the population used a physiotherapist. In 2016, 24 per cent of the population visited our profession. With the average age rising, the number of people with chronic diseases is also increasing. This is where SOMT sees a role for the physiotherapist.

 

What is meant by chronic conditions?

A chronic condition is a condition that persists for a long time. In the Netherlands, depending on the disease, a term of persistence of more than six weeks to six months is used.

 

What are common chronic conditions:

• chronic neck and back pain
• osteoarthritis (wear and tear)
• diabetes
• Cardiovascular diseases
• cancer
• mood and anxiety disorders

 

 

From the trend scenario report of National Institute of Public Health

and Environment reveals that:

1. In 2015, 50 per cent of people had at least one chronic condition; by 2040, it will be 54 per cent.
2. One in three Dutch people then have two or more chronic conditions, and almost one in five have three or more.
3. Not all people with chronic conditions visit their GP every year, and the majority feel healthy and not restricted.
4. As in 2015, in 2040 neck and back pain, osteoarthritis and diabetes will be the most common.
5. Osteoarthritis and diabetes are also among the biggest risers in numbers; in addition, the number of people with vision disorders and coronary heart disease will rise sharply by 2040.
6. In 2040, cancer, cardiovascular disease and mental disorders are the diagnostic groups causing the greatest burden of disease.
7. Of the specific conditions, dementia and osteoarthritis cause the largest increase in disease burden until 2040, with dementia becoming the largest cause.
8. Despite the fact that few people die from mood and anxiety disorders, these conditions do cause a lot of disease burden.

Contact us and see what we can do for you in the field of chronic conditions en lifestyle counselling.

 

Sources:

https://www.ad.nl/amersfoort/amersfoortse-universiteit-wil-campus-bouwen~a6e4f72f/

https://www.vtv2018.nl/aandoeningen