Introduction : The concept of advanced practice includes, within a defined professional framework, the mastery of advanced skills in a specific field, a level of practice which can be characterised by a high degree of autonomy and responsibility, and the ability to make complex decisions. Advanced practice physiotherapists work in a variety of fields, primarily in neurology, cardio-respiratory, sports, musculoskeletal and rheumatology.

Objective : The main purpose of this article is to discuss the concept of advanced practice in physiotherapy. Key messages from the selected references will be presented and discussed.

Development : Within this framework, two models of care are classically described: primary access and triage. The potential benefits are the following: a reduced need for medical appointment and/or hospitalisation, facilitation of the patient’s care pathway and, depending on the geographical context, a reduction in travels for patients living further away from medical centers. However, for their implementation, these models require advanced practice physiotherapists to have extensive clinical experience and a recognised training pathway. This is a crucial issue as it contributes, among other things, to a recognition from peers, other disciplines and patients.

Conclusion : In terms of deployment, there are four areas to be considered: the definition of the role; the expectations emerging from the role; its evaluation; the impact of the role. A suitable and rigorous methodology is therefore required to evaluate all benefits of this new role, including clinical and financial perspectives. Finally, the role may provide interesting opportunities for professional development (seniorisation and skills recognition).