Physiotherapy as a profession: Where are we now?

In the early 21st century physiotherapy the UK is experiencing unprecedented challenges to its practice and professional project as it responds to both changes in health-care design and delivery and developments in science and technology. This article analyses a wide range of discipline-specific and generic literature addressing the sociology of 'profession' to explore the impact of the changing contexts and demands of practice on the identity and professional claim of physiotherapy. The article aims to frame a discussion about 21st century professionalism in the historical and theoretical context of the profession. While the article explicitly explores physiotherapy in the UK context, the issues addressed will be of interest and relevance to all health-care professionals exploring their role in relation to the state and wider society.