Order of Physiotherapists participates in the 14th General Assembly of the Europe Region of World Physiotherapy

The Order of Physiotherapists was present at the 14th General Assembly of the Europe Region of World Physiotherapy (WP), held recently. This was the Order's first participation since joining the organisation in 2023. The event was attended by representatives from 32 of the WP's 38 member countries.

The Portuguese delegation, led by President António Lopes, included physiotherapist Adérito Seixas, who has been a member of one of the WP's permanent working groups for the last two years.

During the meeting, various documents were analysed and approved and the discussion sessions allowed for an exchange of perspectives on crucial issues for Physiotherapy, with particular relevance for Portugal.

The final versions of the approved documents will be made available in due course.

In addition to the thematic discussions, the decisions taken at this General Assembly include:

  • Approval of the accounts for 2022 and 2023, and the budget for the next two years;
  • Appointment of the Order of Physiotherapists as auditors for the 2024 and 2025 accounts.
  • Announcement of Madrid as the venue for the next Congress of the European Region in November 2026.
  • The Vice-Presidents were unanimously re-elected and Michele Cannone (Italy) was elected to the Executive Committee.

The participation of the Order of Physiotherapists in the General Assembly of the WP Europe Region reinforces Portugal's commitment to international development and collaboration in the field of Physiotherapy.

For more information, see the official website of the World Physiotherapy Europe Region: https://www.erwcpt.eu/

II Conference of Senior Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technicians of the ULS Algarve

The II Conference of Senior Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technicians (TSDT) of the Local Health Unit (ULS) of the Algarve, EPE, held at the University of the Algarve on 17 and 18 May, brought together around 300 participants to discuss emerging issues in the area of health.

Board member Carla Pimenta represented the Order of Physiotherapists at the event, which stood out for its scientific programme. The main panel dealt with "Management, Innovation and Technology", while a round table discussed "Local Health Units: Realities and Perspectives". In addition, seven themed panels explored different areas and contexts of TSDT intervention, complemented by three oral communication sessions and an e-poster exhibition.

Physiotherapists played a significant role, not only as part of the audience, but also as moderators (1), speakers (2), lecturers (4) and e-posters presenters (4). The active presence of these professionals underlined the importance of physiotherapy in the context of PTSD.

The work of two physiotherapists, both from ULS São José, was particularly recognised by the conference's scientific committee. Physiotherapist Anabela Correia's e-poster, entitled "Physiotherapy's contribution to creating value in health: a systematic review", received an Honourable Mention, highlighting the relevance of physiotherapy in creating value for health. The prize for best oral communication was awarded to the work "Innovating in Care: Pilot Project for Telerehabilitation of the

#Physiotherapy #IHealthInnovation #TSDT2024 Conferences #ULSAlgarve

Ordem dos Fisioterapeutas and Plataforma Saúde em Diálogo want to promote initiatives to improve the quality of life of chronically ill patients in Portugal

A Order of Physiotherapists, represented by the President António Lopes and the 2nd Vice-President of the Board Conceição Bettencourt, received this Thursday, 15 May, for a meeting, the Board of Health in Dialogue Platformrepresented by the Chairman of the Board Jaime Melancia, the Executive Director Joana Viveiro and João Carreira from the Board of the General Meeting.

Set up in 1998, the Health in Dialogue Platform is a Private Social Solidarity Institution that represents chronically ill patients, health care consumers, promoters and health professionals, brings together 72 associations, and its central objective is to make the voice of patients and health users heard, contributing to a more people-centred health system.

Mentioning that, currently, around 4 million Portuguese have chronic diseasesThe Platform emphasised the importance of the ongoing creation of a working group on chronic illness, led by the Directorate-General for Health, with the aim of establishing the Legal Status of the Chronic Patient, to ensure that all chronic illnesses are treated equally, and that the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) can be used as a basis.

Other crucial points presented were the implementation of a single electronic health record, available to all health professionals, the need for the regulation of the Charter for Public Participation in Health and integration into the National Commission for the Humanisation of Health Care in the National Health Service.

The importance of the Social Prescription model was also emphasised, with one example of its application being the 360º Algarve Mental Health ProjectThis is a new initiative, developed by the Health in Dialogue Platform to promote the mental health of the vulnerable elderly population, through a series of activities that promote active ageing with a focus on the mental health of those involved, and which may include physiotherapists.

The Order emphasised the importance of physiotherapists' intervention not only in the traditional areas of treatment and rehabilitation, but also in primary health care, especially in health promotion and disease prevention activities, with a focus on promoting healthy lifestyle habits and active ageing.

It was pointed out that there are more than 12,000 physiotherapists practising in Portugal, but only just over a thousand in the National Health Service, which is clearly not enough to meet the needs identified.

The Order expressed its commitment to ensuring the quality of care provided, and to this end has developed the regulatory mechanisms provided for in the statutes. Emphasis was also placed on the importance of patient access to physiotherapy, an autonomous and regulated health profession that can work in the various health contexts, as part of health teams or by reference to any medical speciality.

The two organisations agreed to work together to ensure fair access to physiotherapy care and continuity of care for all patients, as well as to promote the integration of physiotherapists in projects initiated by the Platform, such as the project Espaço Saúde 360º Algarve, among other possible partnerships.

Portuguese Bar Association present at AJUTEC in Matosinhos

News updated on 31 May

The Order of Physiotherapists was present at the Ajutec - Health, Support Products and Accessibility The event took place between 23 and 25 May at Exponor in Matosinhos. With its own stand and permanent staff, it was close to professionals, businesspeople and the associations that represent them and, consequently, to society in general. information leaflet on the role of Physiotherapy, which can be downloaded here.

According to the organisers, the event was aimed at companies offering technical aids and new technologies for people with reduced mobility, as well as companies with products, equipment and solutions that enable quality living.

1st Forum of Professional Bodies

The National Council of Professional Orders (CNOP) organises the 1st Forum of Professional BodiesThis is "an event of the utmost importance for reflection on the public service mission of the Professional Bodies and their relationship with the public authorities", which will be attended by the Order of Physiotherapists.

On 9 May, between 2.30pm and 7pm, the Noble Hall of the Instituto Superior Técnico will host the 1st Forum of Professional Associations, which will address topics such as "The Ombudsman for Service Users", "Public Support for Paid Professional Internships" and "Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Self-Regulated Professions".

Full programme: 

Broadcast on streaming:

World Hand Hygiene Day

Why is sharing knowledge about hand hygiene still so important?

Because it helps stop the spread of health pathogens.

Handwashing helps save lives!

World Hand Hygiene Day, which is celebrated on 5 May, was created by the World Health Organisation (WHO) with the aim of drawing attention to the importance of hand hygiene and improving good practices in healthcare.

The WHO advocates promoting knowledge and developing the skills of healthcare professionals and carers through innovative and impactful training and education actions in the prevention and control of infections, including hand hygiene.

The Order joins in this celebration and challenges physiotherapists to put the topic - hand hygiene - on the agenda of a work meeting this month.

According to the WHO, approximately 70% of healthcare workers do not routinely sanitise their hands.

As a Physiotherapist, don't be part of this number: Sanitise Your Hands! Save Lives!

Consult the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) Standard on Hand Hygiene

See the DGS's 2024 graphic materials

Pedro Maciel Barbosa

Specialist physiotherapist at the Matosinhos Local Health Unit Sub-coordinator for Primary Health Care, Matosinhos Local Health Unit Visiting Assistant Professor at the Porto School of Health Member of the Board of Directors of the Foundation for Health - SNS Member of the General Council of the Order of Physiotherapists

Carlos Sand

Carlos Areia has been a physiotherapist since 2013, and has worked in various hospitals, clinics and clubs in both Portugal and the UK. He began his academic career at Oxford University in 2016, where he led a clinical trial comparing physiotherapy vs surgery in anterior cruciate injuries in 32 hospitals in England. In 2018 she moved to the neurosciences department, where she developed her own studies on remote monitoring of vital signs, which were implemented during the pandemic. Here he discovered his passion for data, and in 2022, he joined Digital Science as a Data Scientist. He completed his PhD earlier this year, and has more than 60 publications in journals such as The Lancet, BMJ, Cochrane, among others. He is also an honorary lecturer at Oxford Brookes University and a consultant in clinical research.

Eduardo José Brazete Carvalho Cruz

PhD in Physiotherapy from the University of Brighton, UK. Post-Doctorate in Epidemiology from the National School of Public Health at the New University of Lisbon.
Coordinator of the Studies and Planning Office of the Order of Physiotherapists. Coordinating Professor of the Physiotherapy Department of the School of Health of the Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal (ESS-IPS). President of the ESS-IPS Technical-Scientific Council. Coordinator of the Physiotherapy Department at ESS-IPS. Integrated Researcher at the Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC) (a partnership between FCM-UNL, the National School of Public Health, the University of Évora, the Lisbon Institute of Global Mental Health and Santo Espírito Hospital, Terceira Island, Azores).

Sara Souto Miranda

Sara Souto Miranda has a bachelor's and master's degree in physiotherapy from the University of Aveiro, and a postgraduate qualification in adult respiratory physiotherapy from the same institution. In 2023 she completed her double doctorate in Rehabilitation Sciences/Health, Medicine and Life Sciences at the Universities of Aveiro and Maastricht (Netherlands) and is currently working as a technical-scientific advisor to the Studies and Planning Office (GEP) of the Order of Physiotherapists, and as a guest lecturer at the Piaget Institute in Vila Nova de Gaia. As a member of the Respiratory Research and Rehabilitation Laboratory at the University of Aveiro (Lab3R), she has carried out applied research in which she has assessed and treated patients with respiratory pathology, having taken part in 6 research projects. Throughout her career she has published 19 scientific articles in international peer-reviewed journals with an impact factor, 1 book chapter and more than 50 abstracts in conference proceedings. She was a research volunteer at the Ciro rehabilitation centre (Centre for expertise in chronic organ failure) in the Netherlands, and is currently a member of the Guideline Methodology Network of European Respiratory Society. She was honoured by European Lung Foundation e European Respiratory Society for carrying out patient-centred research, by the Directorate General for Higher Education with a merit grant for his master's degree, and by the Ciro Centre with a grant to support research abroad.

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