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Professional organisations call for a review of the ordinance on the National Network for Integrated Continuing Care

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On 7 May, the Orders of Physiotherapists, Nutritionists, Psychologists and Social Workers sent a joint statement to the Minister of Health expressing their concern about the content of Ordinance 156/2025/1, published on 7 April, which redefines the functioning of Integrated Continued Care Teams (ECCI).

The four Orders warn that the new legislation jeopardises the principles of multidisciplinary teamwork enshrined in the National Network for Integrated Continuing Care (RNCCI) law, excluding the valorisation of several essential professions and contradicting the best available scientific evidence.

With the Ordinance, the incentive model now approved promotes inequality between professionals who are obliged to work together, jeopardising team cohesion and the quality of home care provided to the most vulnerable population.

The Orders are calling for an urgent review of the Ordinance, demanding the inclusion of all professional areas involved in care and respect for the legal and clinical model that has underpinned the RNCCI for almost two decades.

Read the joint position, here.

Public Consultation - Proposal for the Electoral Regulations of the Order of Physiotherapists

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The Portuguese Physiotherapists Order informs that it was published, in Diário da República, the Notice no. 11364/2025/2of 5 May on the public consultation of the proposal for the Electoral Regulations of the Order of Physiotherapists.

Responses to the Public Consultation

All members of the Order of Physiotherapists, with current registration, are invited to participate by filling in the form to send comments.

Once filled in, the form will be automatically sent to your address: consultapublica@ordemdosfisioterapeutas.pt and the participant will receive a copy in the e-mail box they have indicated.

Only contributions sent to the Order of Physiotherapists by 17 June 2025 will be considered.

World Hand Hygiene Day

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World Hand Hygiene Day, marked on 5 May, is promoted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) with the aim of reinforcing the importance of hand hygiene as an essential measure for preventing infections, particularly in healthcare settings.

The correct use of gloves and proper hand hygiene are fundamental steps in protecting users and professionals. To mark the date, the Order of Physiotherapists has produced some graphic communication materials with key messages and recommendations based on WHO guidelines.

Gloves sometimes. Hand hygiene, always

Training physiotherapists to implement the SPLIT programme: assessment and treatment of low back pain

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Following on from what was announced in September 2024 as part of World Physiotherapy Day, the SPLIT Programme is now entering a new phase: the training and qualification of physiotherapists.

Developed and successfully tested at ACES Arrábida - ARSLVT, the SPLIT Programme has shown very promising clinical results, with significant reductions in the progression of acute low back pain to persistent and disabling, as well as in the use of complementary diagnostic tests and medication. It is aligned with the objectives of the National Health Plan 2030, coordinated by the Directorate-General for Health, and is part of the 1st phase of the Sustainable Health Pact 2030.

At this stage, the focus is on the clinical training of physiotherapists who have expressed an interest in implementing SPLIT. The first round of training begins on 30 April, with further actions planned for the following months, covering different regions of the country.

Training is a fundamental step in ensuring that, once the necessary conditions have been met, the programme's implementation is sustained and has a positive impact on users' health.

This initiative represents yet another contribution by the Order of Physiotherapists to enhancing the role of physiotherapists in the NHS and strengthening the response to low back pain, one of the main causes of disability worldwide.

President of the Republic grants High Patronage to the XII National Congress of Physiotherapists

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The Order of Physiotherapists is delighted to announce that the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, has granted his High Patronage to the 12th National Congress of Physiotherapists, which will be held on 9 and 10 May 2025 in Lisbon, under the slogan "360º Identity and Value".

The award of High Patronage is an honour for the profession and an important recognition of the importance of Physiotherapy in the Portuguese health system and society.

The High Patronage of the President of the Republic is a distinction that aims to promote and encourage projects and initiatives that contribute to the country's development, reinforcing his commitment to causes that put citizens and their well-being at the centre of policies and actions.

This recognition underlines the role of physiotherapy as a fundamental health profession and reinforces the importance of holding this Congress, which aims to establish itself as a space for debate, reflection and sharing. 

Register now at www.cnft.pt

#CongressoNacionalDeFisioterapeutas2025 #Fisioterapia360 #OrdemFisioterapeutas #InscriçõesAbertas #euvou

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!  

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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