Templates · Free template · Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy Initial Assessment Template

A printable initial assessment for physiotherapy clinics, structured from history and red flags through examination and outcome measures to goals and a treatment plan.

Jump to the template ↓

Last reviewed September 2026 · Not legal advice

The initial assessment sets the baseline

Every later note is compared with the first, so the initial assessment should record starting points precisely: pain scores, range of motion, strength, function, and a validated outcome measure. Those become your progress data.

Screen for red flags early and document the screening, even when it is negative. Then state goals with a timeframe, so that progress and discharge decisions have something to be measured against.

Clinic name · address · phone

Physiotherapy Initial Assessment

Visit

Patient / client name
Date of birth
Date of treatment
Session number (e.g. 2 of 6)

History

Presenting complaint, onset, mechanism
Past medical history and medications
Aggravating and easing factors, 24-hour pattern

Red flags

  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Night pain
  • Bladder / bowel changes
  • Saddle anaesthesia
  • Progressive neurological deficit
  • None identified

Examination

Observation and posture
MeasureLeftRightNotes
Range of motion
Strength
Special tests
Neuro screen
Palpation

Outcome measures

Measure used (e.g. NDI, ODI, PSFS)
Baseline score
Pain (0–10) now / worst / best

Impression and plan

Clinical impression
Goals and timeframe
Treatment plan, frequency, and education

Sign-off

Practitioner name and credentials
Signature
Date and time
Next visit / review date

Template from zdrovia.ca/templates/physiotherapy-initial-assessment-template/ · Adapt to your college's documentation standard before use.

Structured notes without the typing

Zdrovia's charting gives you note templates you can adapt to this one, outcome scores that trend across visits, and an AI Scribe that drafts the note from what you say in the room. Everything stays on one patient record, free for solo practitioners, with data stored in Canada.

See how Zdrovia is set up for physiotherapy clinics.

Frequently asked questions

Which outcome measure should I use?

Choose one validated for the condition, such as the Neck Disability Index or Oswestry, and repeat it on a schedule.

Should I document negative red flags?

Yes. A documented negative screen is part of the record.

This template is a documentation aid, not clinical guidance. It records decisions about dosing, depth, and settings; it doesn't make them. Documentation standards vary by province and profession, so adapt it to your regulatory college's requirements.