Physiotherapy Program
Our Physiotherapy Program helps overcome barriers like cost and improves people’s quality of life, leading to a virtuous cycle of improvement for other health conditions. This web page includes program details, its evolution, and its contribution to primary care.
Introducing the program
As a publicly funded non-profit, the Calgary West Central Primary Care Network, we develop and provide programs and services that support our community’s health at no cost to our patients. The price of physiotherapy can be a significant barrier for people who would otherwise benefit from it.
So our Physiotherapy Program focuses its resources on providing physical rehabilitation to people:
- Without the financial means to pay for physiotherapy or coverage from other sources
- With health conditions with which we can make the greatest difference within our resources
Through the program, eligible individuals referred by the family doctors in our membership meet virtually with one of our physiotherapists. The physiotherapist learns about the patient, expertly assesses them, and explains program options. Together, the patient and physiotherapist determine the most appropriate option for the patient.
Evolution of the program
Development
Family doctors are on the frontline of the healthcare system and know its challenges and the needs of their patients. Listening to our membership and the unmet needs they saw led to the development of our Physiotherapy Program for their patients.
First through a survey and then in more in-depth interviews, doctors identified physiotherapy as one of the most desired additional supports from our PCN and the existing barriers and needs.
For the program’s design, we engaged three doctors in a working group and consulted:
- The Bone Joint Health Strategic Clinical Network
- Members of the Alberta Association of Physiotherapy
- AHS’s Rehabilitation Advice Line
- AHS Community Physiotherapy
We also did a review of evidence and research literature to understand the conditions with the greatest chance for improved outcomes within the scope of our available resources.
Finally, a pilot of the program with selected clinics refined its development.
Initial program
In August 2024, we opened our Physiotherapy Program to referrals from all our members for their patients with:
- Rotator cuff-related shoulder pain
- Joint-related degenerative hip and/or knee pain due to osteoarthritis
As referrals come into the program, we contact and book eligible individuals a 30-minute virtual or phone call appointment with one of our physiotherapists. The physiotherapist learns about their new patient’s needs and goals as they relate to the referral and explains options and the next steps.
Together, the physiotherapist and patient decide on the most appropriate care plan:
- In-person, one-on-one physiotherapy appointments
- In-person GLA:D Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis program
- An exercise-based rehabilitation plan developed by our physiotherapist with the patient for self-management (our physiotherapists will then follow up with the patient virtually)
- Referral to an external service (AHS or community-based program, such as Alberta Healthy Living Program, etc.)
The one-on-one physiotherapy program includes up to six appointments with the first being focused on assessment and follow-up appointments based on the plan of care developed in the initial appointment.
The GLA:D Hip and Knee program includes two education sessions and 12 group exercise sessions to build strength and learn how to apply the exercises to everyday activities.
Program expansion
Low back pain is the leading cause of years lived with disability worldwide and was raised by doctors during the initial consultations on our Physiotherapy Program’s design.
So, after carefully monitoring program capacity, we expanded our Physiotherapy Program in September 2025 to include:
- Adults with chronic low back pain
- The GLA:D Back program (an in-person, seven-week program with two group education sessions and 12 group exercise sessions emphasizing movement quality and strengthening and functional activities)
We continue to book referred, eligible individuals a 30-minute virtual or phone call appointment with one of our physiotherapists. The physiotherapist learns about their new patient’s needs and goals as they relate to the referral and explains options and the next steps.
Together, the physiotherapist and patient decide on the most appropriate care plan:
- In-person, one-on-one physiotherapy appointments
- In-person GLA:D Back program
- In-person GLA:D Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis program
- An exercise-based rehabilitation plan developed by our physiotherapist with the patient for self-management (our physiotherapists will then follow up with the patient virtually)
- Referral to an external service (AHS or community-based program, such as Alberta Healthy Living Program, etc.)
The one-on-one physiotherapy program includes up to six appointments with the first being focused on assessment and follow-up appointments based on the plan of care developed in the initial appointment.
The GLA:D Hip and Knee program includes two education sessions and 12 group exercise sessions to build strength and learn how to apply the exercises to everyday activities.
Program monitoring and evaluation continues as with all our programs.
Program impact
In the program’s first 12 months, which included the pilot, our Physiotherapy Program provided patients with 2,367 appointments and sessions.
To monitor our program’s impact, patients were given pre- and post-treatment assessments and the opportunity to complete a Patient Experience Survey. The results were promising.
For patients with shoulder pain who completed the assessments:
- 95 per cent of patients had improved shoulder function.
- The average assessment score improved 37.5 points (going from 68.9 to 31.4 with zero being the best score).
Data from the GLA:D hip and knee program showed its participants experienced improvements in pain, function, and quality of life at both the three- and 12-month follow-ups.
Patients who completed our Patient Experience Survey reported high levels of satisfaction with the program and their involvement.
rated their overall quality of care as excellent or very good
found the care they received “definitely” helpful
indicated they were “definitely” involved in decisions about their care