Effect of automation on Physiotherapy.

• Many current jobs are undergoing major transformations due to the introduction technology and automation.⁴ Progression in technology has led to the creation of robotics and new tools that are usually faster and more efficient than people, leading to a reduction in labour and costs. As a result, many people have been replaced by technology and lost their jobs in this process. However, most work fields such as healthcare have been able to utilise technology to their benefit without damaging the people working in that field.⁴
• Physicians such as physiotherapists are not expected to be replaced or lose their job due to automation as healthcare relies heavily on the human to human connection and the building of trust or relationship between the doctor and the patient.⁴
• Additionally, the world’s population and the risk of various diseases such as obesity are expected to increase in the future, suggesting the increasing incidence of health complications and need for health professionals such as physiotherapists.^5-7
• Therefore, it is safe to assume that physiotherapists have great job prospects and job security in the coming future.⁴

References:

1. Physiotherapy [Internet]: Health Direct; 2018 [cited 2019 October 23]. Available from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/physiotherapy.
2. Employment Projections [Internet]: Australian Government Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family business; 2019 [cited 2019 October 23]. Available from: http://lmip.gov.au/default.aspx?LMIP/EmploymentProjections.
3. Physiotherapist [Internet]: Seek; 2019 [cited 2019 October 23]. Available from: https://www.seek.com.au/career-guide/role/physiotherapist.
4. Mahdawi A. What jobs will still be around in 20 years? Read this to prepare your future [Internet]: Seek; 2017 [cited 2019 October 23]. Available from: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jun/26/jobs-future-automation-robots-skills-creative-health.
5. Hruby A, Hu FB. The Epidemiology of Obesity: A Big Picture. Pharmacoeconomics. 2015;33(7):673-89.
6. Okifuji A, Hare BD. The association between chronic pain and obesity. J Pain Res. 2015;8:399-408.
7. Alexander E, Rosenthal S, Evans C. Achieving consensus on recommendations for the clinical management of overweight and obese adults for canadian physiotherapy practice. Physiother Can. 2012;64(1):42-52.