Allies in allied health; exercise professionals, scope of practice and interprofessional opportunities

Evidence for the role of exercise in the prevention and treatment of many chronic diseases is well established. At present there are several exercise professions that take responsibility for the assessment, prescription and delivery of exercise to both healthy and clinical populations. As well, allied health assistants and personal trainers play an integral role in supporting program delivery in public health organisations and private practice. For many managers, health professionals and consumers of exercise services, the selection of the appropriate health personnel to meet their needs can be confusing. Finding the optimum integrated care approach could facilitate the best client outcomes in the most cost effective way. This presentation outlines differences in training, skill development, and current perceptions in the scope of clinical practice of exercise professionals (university trained and vocationally trained) and also identifies commonality in these areas. Rather than defining boundaries we aim to start a conversation regarding areas of overlap and work towards a model engages all professional and assistant staff to provide safe continuity of care and optimise client outcomes.

Increasing pressure on the health care system demands that organisations review service delivery from professionals and assistants, facilitating the way they work together in an integrated way. This will match the client to the exercise professional who is most appropriate to their condition and stage of treatment.