In the United Kingdom, physiotherapists are trained to assess and diagnose musculoskeletal conditions. They are able to make an initial diagnosis and develop a treatment plan based on that diagnosis. However, if the physiotherapist suspects a condition that falls outside of their scope of practice, they will refer the patient to a medical doctor for further investigation and diagnosis.
Additionally, in the UK, physiotherapists are autonomous practitioners, which means they can work independently and do not require a referral from a medical doctor to see a patient.
