Fostering the discussion of planetary health in occupational therapy and physiotherapy.

Introduction: Occupational therapists and physiotherapists aim to promote health, prevent various diseases and help people in their rehabilitation processes. So far, there is a paucity of understanding of the big picture of how the new paradigm of planetary health (PH) is connected to the education and practice of these professionals. Methods: This research aimed to address this gap by investigating and deploying a bibliometric analysis to elucidate the pivotal role of occupational therapists and physiotherapists in addressing PH challenges. The ultimate goal is to construct a comprehensive framework crosschecking the bibliometric analysis and the collection of 10 case studies selected by experts to outline how best practices in occupational therapy and physiotherapy, related to the three pillars of sustainability and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), can contribute to increasing PH. Results: The bibliometric analysis revealed four major research strands: 1) enhancing patient care and quality of life; 2) integrating sustainability in health care and rehabilitation; 3) professional development and clinical competence; and 4) evidence‐based practice and quality improvement. Moreover, further temporal analysis revealed how the topic evolved, from advancing evidence‐based practice and clinical effectiveness, exploring the strengthening of health care and person‐centred practices, to connecting the topic to aspects also predicted by the SDGs, such as integrating environmental and climate concerns in therapy and addressing psychological and self‐care impacts on health. The case studies confirmed this trend, and a framework of PH in occupational therapy and physiotherapy through the lens of the SDGs was developed to support future research and practitioners in advancing this research field. Conclusions: Occupational therapists and physiotherapists are essential players in public health and can integrate sustainability at every level of practice, from using resources during therapy sessions to advocating for more sustainable lifestyles. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Occupational therapists and physiotherapists aim to promote health, prevent diseases and help people recover. However, there is uncertainty about how they could contribute to the planetary health paradigm in their education and practice. This research aimed to investigate the role of occupational and physiotherapists in addressing planetary health challenges, utilising a bibliometric analysis and case studies to show how best practices can improve planetary health. The analysis showed four ways that a contribution can be made: 1) improving patient care and quality of life, 2) integrating sustainability in health care and rehabilitation, 3) developing clinical competence and professional skills, and 4) using evidence‐based practices and quality improvement. The research also shows that the topic evolved from evidence‐based practice and clinical effectiveness to connecting the topic to aspects predicted by the Sustainable Development Goals. The case studies confirmed this trend, and a framework of planetary health in occupational therapy and physiotherapy was developed. In conclusion, occupational therapists and physiotherapists play an essential role in planetary health and can integrate the paradigm into every level of practice, by using resources during therapy sessions and advocating for more sustainable lifestyles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]