Reserved Area

Month: March 2026

National Stroke Patient Day: Physiotherapy is essential for prevention, functional recovery and participation in daily life

by
Stroke continues to represent a major public health challenge, due to its impact on mortality, disability and the quality of life of individuals and families. Celebrating National Stroke Patient Day is therefore an opportunity to reinforce the importance of prevention, timely recognition of warning signs and access to appropriate healthcare throughout the care pathway.
 
Physiotherapy plays an important role in this context, starting with health promotion and prevention. Through the promotion of physical activity, health education and intervention in modifiable risk factors, physiotherapists contribute to reducing the risk of cerebrovascular disease and improving the health literacy of the population.
After a stroke, physiotherapy intervention is decisive for recovery of mobility, functionality and autonomy, It also helps to reduce complications and improve quality of life. For this intervention to produce the best results, it must be started early, be tailored to each person's needs and be part of an articulated response between levels of healthcare.
 
Physiotherapy intervention is not limited to the recovery of isolated bodily functions. Its aim is to support the person to move safely again, to carry out everyday activities, to regain independence and to resume family, social and professional participation, whenever possible. Talking about stroke is therefore also talking about life after the event and the need to guarantee equal access to healthcare.
 
On this day, created at the proposal of the Portuguese Stroke Society (SPAVC), the Portuguese Order of Physiotherapists reaffirms the importance of health policies that put the prevention, functional recovery and participation at the centre of health responses. Strengthening access to physiotherapy throughout the various stages of the disease means investing in better health outcomes, less disability and a better quality of life for people affected by stroke.

The Order of Physiotherapists' professional card is now available on the gov.pt app

by

Physiotherapists can now access their professional card in digital format via the gov.pt application, the official digital card that allows them to manage documents with full legal validity.

In order for the digital card and signature with professional attributes to be available, you must first authorise the sharing of professional data in the reserved area of the Ordem dos Fisioterapeutas website.

Once authorised, Physiotherapists will be able to access this new feature, which allows holders to consult and present their professional identification directly on their mobile phone, quickly and securely, facilitating access in inspection situations or whenever the presentation of the physical card is necessary.

The digital version of the document includes all the holder's essential data, such as personal identification and professional category, guaranteeing the same authenticity as the physical support. Developed by the Agency for the Technological Reform of the State (ARTE), the gov.pt application centralises in a single channel various functionalities previously scattered across platforms such as ID.gov and Authenticação.gov, providing citizens with more practical access to digital public services.

Currently, the app allows more than 30 official documents to be made available in digital format, especially the Citizen's Card and the Driving Licence. This initiative, which aims to simplify the relationship between professionals and the public administration, is funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) and the NextGenerationEU fund.

Order of Physiotherapists presents proposal to create National Physiotherapist Day in Parliament

by

On 18th March, the Order of Physiotherapists was present at the Parliamentary Health Committee of the Assembly of the Republic, where he presented the proposal to create the National Physiotherapist Day, The meeting was held on 30 September, the date of the creation of the Order, and was represented by the President, António Lopes, accompanied by the 1st Vice-President of the Board, Conceição Bettencourt.

The purpose of the hearing was to make MPs aware of the importance of the date, not only as a symbolic moment of recognition for the profession, but also as a strategic opportunity to promote health literacy, prevention and empowerment of citizens, reinforcing the role of physiotherapy in the health system and in society.

During the session, the parliamentary groups present (PSD, CHEGA and PS) recognised the importance of physiotherapy, highlighting its growing relevance in the context of healthcare, particularly in promoting mobility, autonomy and quality of life for the population.

The MPs recognised the importance of physiotherapy in the context of the health professions and stressed the need to ensure that the creation of this day translates into a concrete impact for citizens, namely through public awareness initiatives, the promotion of health literacy and the reinforcement of the integration of physiotherapists into the health system.

The existence of World Physiotherapy Day, which takes place on 8 September, the date on which World Physiotherapy was created, was also mentioned, and it was pointed out that the Order's proposal aims to establish a national date, associated with the creation of the Order of Physiotherapists, and geared towards the Portuguese reality.

In his speech, the President of the Order of Physiotherapists, António Lopes, emphasised the importance of this initiative to strengthen the link between physiotherapy and citizens:

"The existence of a day dedicated to physiotherapists will make it possible to promote public education and awareness campaigns, contributing to strengthening health literacy and helping citizens understand when and how to go to a physiotherapist.”

The President also stressed that National Physiotherapist Day could be a privileged moment to promote proximity actions with citizens, reflection and sharing initiatives and awareness campaigns, contributing to better use of healthcare and health gains.

The Order of Physiotherapists reaffirmed its total willingness to collaborate with the Portuguese Parliament in developing this initiative, which it considers to be of unequivocal public interest.

See here the hearing in the Parliamentary Health Committee:

FTP26 - Portuguese physiotherapists can register for the International Congress of Physiotherapy in Barcelona

by

The Order of Physiotherapists is associated with FTP26 - IV International Congress of Physiotherapy, organised by the Col-legi de Fisioterapeutes de Catalunya, which will take place in Barcelona from 9 to 11 July 2026. Portuguese physiotherapists will be able to benefit from registration conditions equivalent to those applied to “Collegiates outside Catalonia”, and must indicate their professional card number when registering.

The congress will bring together specialists in the field of Physiotherapy, addressing different dimensions of clinical practice, research and teaching. The scientific programme includes multiple parallel sessions and topics relevant to contemporary physiotherapy practice, including the approach to pain, oncology, neurology, psychosocial factors in clinical intervention and innovation in physiotherapy teaching. The event will also include free papers and poster sessions, as well as initiatives dedicated to innovation and entrepreneurship in the field of health.

Registration:
https://www.ftp26.cat/ca/inscripcions

Programme:
https://www.ftp26.cat/ca/programa

Early closing of applications - Recruitment of Administrative Technicians

by
Following the high number of applications received for the recruitment of Administrative Technicians for the Order of Physiotherapists, the deadline for submitting applications will be brought forward.
Applications can therefore be submitted until 20 March at 12 noon, to replace the date initially planned.
 
Those interested should formalise their application using the form provided:
 
👉 [Apply here]
 
The aim of this decision is to ensure that the selection process is properly conducted, guaranteeing that applications are analysed rigorously and fairly.

Thank you for your interest.

World Urinary Incontinence Day: Physiotherapy plays a key role in prevention and treatment

by

14 March marks World Urinary Incontinence Day, a condition that affects millions of people and can have a significant impact on quality of life.

In Portugal, it is estimated that 1 in 5 people over the age of 40 may be affected by urinary incontinence, and this condition is more common in women. Although common, it shouldn't be seen as an inevitable consequence of ageing.

Physiotherapy, particularly through pelvic floor rehabilitation, plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of urinary incontinence. The work of physiotherapists can help improve urinary control, functionality and quality of life for those affected.

Early diagnosis and intervention are essential. If you experience symptoms of involuntary loss of urine, it is important to seek advice from health professionals.

As part of this anniversary, the Order of Physiotherapists is joining the National Health Service's (SNS) social media initiative to strengthen health literacy about this condition and publicise the role of physiotherapy in dealing with it.

Follow on the SNS social networks (Facebook, Instagram e X) and the Order of Physiotherapists (Facebook, Instagram e LinkedIn).

Recruitment - Administrative Technicians

by
A Order of Physiotherapists is reinforcing its administrative team and has opened a recruitment process for four administrative technicians, for the following areas:
  • 1 for Logistics/Human Resources
  • 1 for Assets and Financial Resources
  • 2 for Regional Bodies
The roles are part of a nationwide organisation with significant institutional responsibilities and are aimed at candidates with experience in administrative functions, a sense of responsibility, rigour and organisational skills.
Functions (depending on the area)
  • Administrative support for logistics, purchasing and internal organisation processes
  • Administrative support for financial and property processes
  • Administrative support for the functioning of the Regional Bodies
  • Organising and archiving documentation
  • Administrative communication and support for internal processes
Desired profile
  • 12th grade (minimum) or university degree (preferred)
  • Experience in administrative functions (preferred)
  • Good knowledge of Microsoft Office
  • Capacity for organisation, rigour and meeting deadlines
  • Sense of responsibility and confidentiality
Applications
Applications must be submitted exclusively using the form available here:
Application form
Please note: Applications sent by email will not be considered, and only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.
📅 Application deadline: [27 March 2026]

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.

This site uses cookies to enable a better user experience.
By browsing the site you are consenting to its use.

What are cookies?
Accept