Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Testimonials can be used in advertisements for physiotherapy care. All testimonials must be true, verifiable, and accurate. This means that testimonials need to be genuinely written by patients who received care, not paid for or written by the physiotherapist or clinic staff.
You must get a patient’s informed consent to include their name, photo or any personal health information in an advertisement.
Yes, you can. Likes, stars, and ratings are also acceptable. Please view the College’s guidance on Social Media Principles for Physiotherapists for more information on responsible social media use.
Whenever you, as a physiotherapist, use your professional title in support of something, you must be sure it is done appropriately, professionally, and within your scope of practice. Your opinion must be free of bias or conflict of interest, and you must disclose if you are being paid to endorse a product. There must also be science and evidence to support the use of the product in physiotherapy.
No. A physiotherapy clinic or service provider cannot claim superiority over another one. Using phrases like “the best in the city” or “better than the competition” are not permitted under the Advertising and Marketing Standard, as they involve direct comparisons with other providers.
However, you may describe the quality of care in your practice by using phrases like “the best care possible” or “the highest quality of care,” as long as these statements refer only to your own practice.
Under the Fees, Billing and Accounts Standard, physiotherapists may give deals or discounts to offer financial help to patients who need care. The physiotherapist must perform a comprehensive assessment (and reassessment), and any treatments provided must be therapeutically necessary.
Physiotherapists can advertise discounted services, but they must ensure the services are compliant with all standards and rules.
Physiotherapists may advertise set fees charged for a package of services (a “block” or “bundled” fee) provided that the bundled services meet the requirements of the Professional Misconduct Regulation and the Fees, Billing and Accounts Standard.
Any advertising for bundled services must also adhere to those requirements. This means you must clearly disclose:
- Which services are included in the fee,
- That the patient has the option to purchase services individually, and
- That any unused services will be refunded.