WHEREAS physiotherapy is an integral part of a balanced health care program, providing benefit to patients of all ages; AND WHEREAS there is a shortage of physiotherapists throughout BC, including many communities with no positions and no service due to unsuccessful physiotherapy recruitment efforts which has resulted in the loss of positions; AND WHEREAS the University of British Columbia graduates 80 physiotherapists annually and is the only physiotherapy school in BC, although the University of Northern British Columbia has space for a 20 seat physiotherapy program: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM advocate to the Ministry of Advanced Education and the BC Treasury Board for the establishment of a physiotherapy program at the University of Northern BC to provide for 20 more physiotherapy academic seats.
Ministry of Advanced Education The Ministry of Advanced Education works closely with public post-secondary institutions to align health education program delivery with health human resource HHR planning and priorities identified by the Ministry of Health. Capacity to expand health education programs is affected by the availability of clinical placements, physical space on academic and clinical campuses, qualified faculty, student demand and available funding. In 2011, Advanced Education funded the UBC MPT Northern and Rural Cohort NRC, where 20 first year and 20 second year students undertake four of six clinical placements in northern and rural locations across the province. The NRC was intended to increase the clinical placement capacity in northern and rural areas as well as establish the University of Northern British Columbia UNBC as a clinical education hub for development and coordination of northern and rural clinical placements and continuing education for northern Physical Therapy professionals. The NRC demonstrated governments commitment to Physical Therapy training in the North by recognizing the value of MPT students working with Physical Therapy professionals in the region to provide rehabilitation services in underserved communities, and increasing the likelihood they will choose to stay to practice upon graduation. Ministry staff have undertaken discussions with UBC and UNBC to identify opportunities and challenges associated with distribution of MPT academic training to UNBC. AVED will continue to work with UBC and UNBC to ensure the ongoing success and sustainability of the Physical Therapy Northern and Rural Cohort, as well as work with the Ministry of Health to align health education with provincial HHR priorities.