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New interactive dashboard with demographic data on physiotherapists now available

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The new dashboard interactive with the demographic data of the members of the Order of Physiotherapists.

In this new tool, it is possible to explore up-to-date information about the profession, including the distribution of physiotherapists practising in Portugal, by gender, age group, district of professional activity, academic qualifications and annual evolution of entry into the profession, among other indicators.

O dashboard allows intuitive browsing, with different filters by region and data type, and is compatible with desktop and mobile devices.

Go to dashboard, here.

Parkinson's Disease World Cup: Physiotherapy to promote autonomy and quality of life

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Parkinson's Disease is a progressive neurological condition that affects motor function, significantly compromising the quality of life of sufferers. Although there is currently no cure, there are fundamental interventions to slow down the progression of the disease and improve the functionality and well-being of individuals.

Physiotherapy plays a central role in this approach. Physiotherapists, as health professionals, are crucial in assessing and monitoring people with Parkinson's, acting in an individualised way and focusing on the specific needs of each person.

The main aims of physiotherapy intervention are to maintain and improve functional capacities, delay symptoms, prevent or minimise complications and deformities, advise on appropriate postures, prevent muscle contractures and weakness, and improve balance, gait and coordination. In addition, physiotherapy helps to encourage autonomy and safer performance of activities of daily living.

On World Parkinson's Day, which falls on 11 April, the Order of Physiotherapists highlights the importance of regular monitoring by physiotherapists, as part of a multidisciplinary approach, with a view to ensuring safe, effective intervention that promotes quality of life.

National Stroke Patient Day: Physiotherapy essential in the prevention and recovery of brain and cardiovascular diseases

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Strokes continue to be the leading cause of death and disability in Portugal, with three occurrences per hour. Of these cases, at least one person dies and another is left with sequelae, often of working age. O National Stroke Patient DayThe event, which takes place today, 31 March, aims to raise awareness of the impact of these diseases and the need for structured, effective and accessible health responses.

Cerebro-vascular diseases require an integrated approach, which must begin with the primary prevention. A Physiotherapy has a fundamental role to play in this area, contributing to the promotion of physical activity, the management of risk factors, the assessment of physical fitness and health education from a young age.

In post-acute phaseHowever, the intervention of physiotherapists is equally decisive in restoring mobility, functionality and autonomy, reducing complications and improving the quality of life of those affected. Intervention must be timely, intensive and adapted to the individual needs of each patient.

The current reality shows, however, that only 30% of stroke survivors in Portugal have access to intensive rehabilitation care, e 65% do not have access to multi-professional care. A Order of Physiotherapists advocates the implementation of a clear and structured care pathway, with greater accessibility to physiotherapy throughout all stages of the diseaseas is already the case in other priority health areas.

Strengthening human resources in physiotherapy, improving coordination between levels of care and guaranteeing equitable access to quality services are fundamental measures for saving lives, reducing disability and promoting functional recovery.

On this National Stroke Patient DayThe Order of Physiotherapists reaffirms its commitment to valuing physiotherapy and defending public policies that place prevention and functional recovery at the centre of health priorities in Portugal.

World Urinary Incontinence Day

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Urinary incontinence affects 1 in 5 Portuguese over the age of 40and jeopardising their quality of life. However be more common in women, it can also affect men. 

What you need to know about urinary incontinence: 

✅ It can be prevented. 
✅ There is treatment. 
✅ A Fisotherapy is the first option for treating stress urinary incontinence. 

If you suffer from this problem, see a physiotherapist of the pelvic health. Proper monitoring will make all the difference to your well-being and quality of life. 

For reflection: 

📹 Elderly - Advancing age can aggravate urinary incontinence, but pelvic health physiotherapy can help. 
📹 Young athletes - Even active people can suffer from urine leakage. Your physiotherapist can advise you on both the prevention and treatment of this problem. 
📹 Pregnancy, childbirth and menopause - Major challenges for women's pelvic health. Physiotherapy in pelvic health can help in these phases of life. 
📹 Men - Urinary incontinence can affect anyone, regardless of gender. 

Taking care of your pelvic health is essential. For your health, don't ignore the signs!  

Order of Physiotherapists publishes Research Agenda for Physiotherapy in Portugal

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The Studies and Planning Office (GEP) of the Order of Physiotherapists has developed a Research Agenda for Physiotherapy in Portugal, which identifies the research priorities for Physiotherapy in the national context. 

The result of a research project that involved a rigorous process of literature review and consensus among 479 physiotherapists and 70 users, this diary provides a solid basis for guiding future physiotherapy research in Portugal, with an impact on clinical practice and the well-being of users. 

With the publication of this agenda, the Order of Physiotherapists reinforces its commitment to promoting research and the continuous improvement of physiotherapy practice in Portugal, reflecting the perspectives of Portuguese physiotherapists and users. 

You can access the full agenda at the link: Report  

Exclusive partnerships for members of the Order of Physiotherapists

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The Order of Physiotherapists has launched its first partnerships for its members, guaranteeing special conditions on different services. The first active partnership offers exclusive advantages in accommodation and wellness services. See the conditions on the page Partnerships.

This is just the start of the Ordem dos Fisioterapeutas' partnership programme. New entities and benefits will join this programme, covering different areas of interest to our members.

Order of Physiotherapists at the 1st National Health and Environment Congress

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The Order of Physiotherapists took part in the 1st National Health and Environment Congress, held at Culturgest in Lisbon on 7 and 8 February 2025. The event was attended by President António Lopes and Board Members Fátima Domingues and Carla Pimenta.  

Organised by the Portuguese Council for Health and the Environment (CPSA), of which the Order is a member, the congress was the first forum dedicated to the interrelationship between climate change, environmental degradation and people's health. It aimed to provide a privileged space for reflection, exchange of experiences and networking, and was a milestone in the recent history of the CPSA. 

The President of the Portuguese Physiotherapists Order was present at the Opening SessionThe event was attended by the President of the CPSA, Luís Campos, the Minister of Health, Ana Paula Martins and the Secretary of State for the Environment, Emídio Sousa. Also speaking on the panel were "The Professional Bodies in the Face of Environmental Change"He was joined by members of other professional organisations. 

Also as part of the 1st National Congress on Health and the Environment, the Board Member.., Carla Pimenta, presented an e-poster entitled "Promoting sustainable physiotherapy: strategies of the Order of Physiotherapists in the face of the Sustainable Development Goals". The work reflects the Order's commitment to promoting the ecological literacy of the population and training physiotherapists in the current environmental challenges. The eposter is available at enquiry. 

Physiotherapy was also present through work carried out at the School of Health Technology of the Polytechnic of Coimbra: 

 "Good environmental sustainability practices in the health sector (Ecology and sustainability in physiotherapy: strategies and impacts)";  

"Innovation in actions to adapt to the impact of climate change on health (Action by physiotherapists to mitigate the impact of climate change on health)" 

"Urban health (Walking speed and urban space planning: implications for preventing falls in older adults)." 

The congress provided a unique opportunity to interact with various stakeholders The event was an opportunity for the Order of Physiotherapists to reinforce its commitment to environmental sustainability and encourage the exchange of knowledge and good practices in this area. On site, it was also possible to dialogue with physiotherapists already aware of these issues, further enriching the sharing of experiences. 

The presence of the Order of Physiotherapists at the 1st National Health and Environment Congress reinforces the profession's active role in building a more sustainable future and implementing strategies in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Registration open for the 12th National Congress of Physiotherapists

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You can now guarantee your place at this national meeting of physiotherapists!

The Congress, which takes place in Lisbon on 9 and 10 May 2025This will be a unique moment of debate and knowledge sharing. Under the theme "360º Identity and Value"The event will address the most relevant issues in physiotherapy, from professional identity to technological innovation, access to care and the challenges of regulation.

 

✅ If you are a member of the Order of Physiotherapists:
🔗 Sign up here

✅ If you are a Physiotherapy student:
🔗 Sign up here

Follow all the news at cnft.co.uk

Observador's "Arterial" project: participation of the Order of Physiotherapists

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A Arterial" section The Observador includes news, reports and interviews on brain and cardiovascular diseases (such as strokes and heart attacks), which remain the leading cause of death and disability in Portugal. In this context, the Order of Physiotherapists has consistently emphasised the fundamental importance of physiotherapy in the prevention, management and rehabilitation of these pathologies.

President António Lopes was invited to take part in the podcast "If I were health minister"He also warned that "access to physiotherapy is too late" after a stroke or heart attack, pointing out the flaws in the SNS and proposals to solve them.
Listen to the full interview here.

In this context, he had already signed a opinion articleThe report also emphasises the need to create an integrated care pathway and to allow direct access to physiotherapy after an acute event, in order to prevent irreversible sequelae and promote a more effective recovery.
Read the opinion piece here.

In the joint article "15 measures to die less in Portugal"The Order of Physiotherapists emphasised priorities for reducing mortality from strokes and heart attacks, highlighting the reorganisation of care and guaranteeing early access to physiotherapy.
Read the article here.

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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