On 30 September, the Portuguese Physiotherapists’ Association marked its 7th anniversary with five events organised by its regional branches in the North, Centre, South, the Azores and Madeira.
Under the overarching theme “Calculating the Value of Physiotherapists” Intervention’, the 2026 Order Day took place in Guimarães, Caldas da Rainha, Lisbon, Ponta Delgada and Funchal, bringing together physiotherapists, institutional representatives, academics and other guests for a joint reflection on the value of physiotherapy for citizens and for healthcare systems.
The programme for the five regions included a common element, featuring an opening address by António Lopes, President of the Portuguese Physiotherapists’ Association, and a conference with contributions from Julian Perelman, Eduardo Cruz and Nuno Cordeiro.
Throughout these presentations, various perspectives were discussed on the concept of value in healthcare, care pathways and the organisation of care, as well as the challenges associated with innovation and the future of the profession.
This reflection stemmed from a central idea: the value of a physiotherapist’s intervention cannot be assessed solely on the basis of the number of actions, sessions or procedures carried out. It is important to consider the outcomes achieved for individuals, particularly in terms of functionality, independence, quality of life and participation, as well as the contribution of physiotherapy to the quality, accessibility and sustainability of healthcare.
Following the conference, each Region organised its own panel discussion, bringing together different institutional and professional perspectives and enabling a shared reflection on the realities and challenges facing each region.
The simultaneous holding of the five events also highlighted the Order’s regional dimension, strengthening its ties with physiotherapists, institutions and communities, and involving the Regional Boards in the celebration of the institution’s anniversary.
Seven years after the establishment of the Order of Physiotherapists, the Order’s Day 2026 was thus an occasion for celebration, but also for reflection on the present and future of the profession and on the need to make the impact of physiotherapy on people’s health and lives increasingly visible and measurable.
Interventions
Videos of the opening address and the conference are available on the Portuguese Physiotherapists’ Association’s YouTube channel.
Order Day in Pictures
Photographs from the five regional events are currently being selected and organised. The photo galleries for the North, Centre, South, Azores and Madeira regions will be made available in stages on the page dedicated to the 2026 Physiotherapists’ Association Day.