The Order of Physiotherapists recently celebrated the 5th anniversary of its creation. It was a time of great demand and important results!
It was and is my conviction, as President of all Physiotherapists, to fulfil and enforce the commitment I made.
After the first years of the installation phase, which allowed the first elections to be held, the elected bodies to take office at the end of 2021 and the start of the construction of the legal framework for our activity, it is time to express the role and intervention of the physiotherapy profession in health promotion and disease prevention, in addition to its role in rehabilitation.
In fact, the amendment to the articles of association confirmed the social role of the Order, in defence of citizens, in favour of public health, recognising the reservation of title, where, in a multidisciplinary interaction with other professions, the intervention of the Physiotherapist is increasingly recognised, both within the scope of the SNS, the Health System and for him in his perspective as one of the health professions most dedicated to the private perspective of the activity, identifies, guarantees and privileges the contact and direct reference with the patients.
Physiotherapists have had their concern for civil society, the health of the Portuguese and their own future recognised by the political powers.
The quality of physiotherapy care has long been a challenge and a certainty for all of us physiotherapists, and the social, political and institutional importance of the Order is not ignored in this endeavour.
We will continue to work in defence of citizens, through the affirmation of Physiotherapy as an autonomous scientific discipline and self-regulated profession. We will continue to defend the professional title of Physiotherapist and its specific contribution to the promotion of health and the quality and safety of health care provided at various levels and in various contexts.
We are sure of the support of all Physiotherapists to continue working with the responsibility of guaranteeing the highest standards of ethics and quality, in defence and protection of the rights of every citizen who seeks care from Physiotherapists.
Our mission has been, and will continue to be, a team effort, in which each of us contributes our knowledge, effort and dedication to the defence of public health and greater recognition of our social activity.
The individual contribution of each Physiotherapist on a daily basis is decisive and irreplaceable!
I am sure that, as always, I will be able to count on this commitment so that, with an eye to the interests of the citizens, our profession can continue to be elevated.
António Lopes
Bastonary
