Specialisation in Physiotherapy - Conceptual framework
Physiotherapists' specialization aims to improve the quality standards of physical therapy practice and to promote continuous professional evolution.
The following are considered essential as a reference guidelines of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) on this issue, namely the following assumptions:
- Physiotherapy specialisation are areas of study and practice in a specific area, within the scope of practice recognized as physical therapy, which allows physical therapists to acquire and demonstrate additional in-depth clinical knowledge and skills, in relation to those necessary for access to the profession and professional title.
- There should be a fully documented formal process for specialization, acknowledging the skills, especially clinical.
- Specialization shouldn’t be considered a practice limitation. The field of activity recognized as physical therapy will remain open to all appropriately qualified physical therapists.
- A specialist physical therapist is expected to practice and/or teach in his clinical specialization area of practice, and also to contribute to education and evaluation of professional practice, with a view to improve the services provided. They are also expected to conduct research projects and contribute to the development and dissemination of knowledge in the respective area.
In essence, three substantial elements should be considered in specialization process:
- Possession of an advanced graduate course, with academic recognition;
- The demonstration of competences (skills) clinical and proven experience, in the area of specialisation;
- The development of competences in the area of research (critical analysis of published research, as a support to a practice based on scientific evidence, with a published contribution to the development of knowledge in the area of specialisation).
The Board of the Order of Physiotherapists considers that the profile of the specialist fits clearly within the descriptors of the master's academic degree, this being a potential route, but not the only one, in the formal process of recognition of specialist status.
The granting of specialist status assumes that his holder regularly demonstrates that he continues to deserve this status, through a formal process of renewing his clinical knowledge and skills.
It is considered prudent to recognise only a small number of fields of specialization, in line with international practice or countries of reference, if possible. Whenever there’s no justification for an autonomous field of specialisation, an alternative skills certification system should be created.
Creation of the Quadro de Especialidades Profissionais de Fisioterapia in Portugal
Drawing up the proposal for this framework was already part of the 2022 activity plan and continues the work started by the Installation Commission.
Achieving this goal required overcoming a number of internal stages, including a period of public discussion of the project before the final approval of the General Regulation of Professional Specialities.
The regulation was approved by the Ministry of Health on 6 March 2025 and published in the Diário da República on 15 April 2025, formalising the recognition of the following specialty areas: Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy, Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and Neurological Physiotherapy.
The necessary steps to implement the application process and award the title of specialist in these areas are now underway.
The regulation now in force lays down the conditions and procedures for the creation of new professional specialities in Physiotherapy.
The working documents and updates on the implementation process were progressively made available to the members of the Order in a separate tab on the website. reserved areaIt will be possible to continue to follow specific developments.