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The data has been provided by the Member Organisation and to the extent possible are a true reflection of the situation in the country, however not all figures are authoritative and should be interpreted accordingly.
For questions or feedback please contact info@erwcpt.eu
General View
Country Profile
Education
Profession & Practice
CPD & Specialisation
Migration & Mobility
Physio Austria stands for quality in physiotherapy and pursues the objective of ensuring optimal patient treatment by well-trained and further educated physiotherapists. The association observes any changes in physiotherapy and the relevant environments to respond timely to opportunities and risks and to cope with future challenges.
Address
Lange Gasse 30/1
Vienna
1080
Austria
Telefon
+43 (0)1 587 99 51
office@physioaustria
Website
Social media:
Number of Members:
6 054
Europe region Primary Contact
President
Chief Executive Officer
Mag. Stefan Moritz, MSc.
Constance Schlegl, MPH
Mag. Stefan Moritz, MSc.
General Secretary
Contact for Students
Martina Sorge, MSc
8 739 806
Population
17 329
Practising Physiotherapists
6 054
Physiotherapists' Members
Publications
Newsletters
Physio Austria im Gespraech (monthly, members only): https://www.physioaustria.at/aktuelle-newsletter
Terminvorschau (monthly information on congresses/events, members only)
Newsletter Weiterbildung (information on further education courses, monthly)
Insight Physio Austria (monthly newsletter for Nonmembers)
Journals
inform (5 issues per year); open access via: https://www.physioaustria.at/inform
inform exklusiv (5 issues per year, only for members): https://www.physioaustria.at/informexklusiv
Scientific Publications
Events
Organisation Congress
Other events
Entry Level Educational programmes: Those programmes that prepares graduates for entry into practice of physiotherapy. They bring a person to the point of being able to practice as a physiotherapist in the country of education. Entry requirements, length of the education programmes and the final qualification obtained may vary within and across countries.
World Physiotherapy definition: “Entry level physical therapist professional education programmes are those that equip physical therapists to practise as independent professionals. World Physiotherapy recommends that education for entry-level physical therapists should be based on university or university-level studies of a minimum of four years, independently validated and accredited as being at a standard that affords graduates full statutory and professional recognition.”
In some countries it could be a difference between education itself and access to the profession such as possible legal requirements to practice – i.e. registration or training period.
Bachelor of Science in Health Studies - Physiotherapy
12
School years needed before entering the Physiotherapy Programme
3.0
Years of the Physiotherapy Education Programme
180
ECTS
1st
Correspondent Bologna Cycle
Level 6
Level 5B
Level 5B
National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level
European Qualifications Framework (EQF) level
International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED)
Professional Title
English title
National language titles
Physiotherapist
Physiotherapeutin / Physiotherapeut
Practice and Regulation
Professional Autonomy
Standards of practice
Yes
Code of conduct
Yes
Registration required to practice
Yes
Re-registration required
No
Re-registration frequency
CPD required for re-registration
Permitted to Assess?
Yes
Permitted to Diagnose?
Yes
Permitted to Treat?
Yes
Permitted to Refer on to other specialities/services?
No
Permitted to Refer on to other tests or examinations (MRI, Radiography, US)?
No
Access to Physiotherapy
Access to physiotherapy: Ability of a client or patient to be referred to a physiotherapist for assessment and treatment. There are different types:
1. Direct access: The patient/client directly asks the physiotherapist to provide services (The patients refer themselves). The physiotherapist freely decides his conduct and takes full responsibility for it. Also when the physiotherapist has direct access to patients/clients and determines those that need a physiotherapy assessment/intervention without referral from a third party.
2. Access by referral: The patient/client has access to the physiotherapist by referral from another health professional (medical practitioner or other).
3. Access by referral with the freedom to decide intervention: The patient/client has access to the physiotherapist by referral from another health professional. The prescription will not indicate the technical modalities used in the intervention.
4. Access by referral with an imposed programme of intervention: The patient/client has access to the physiotherapist by referral from another health professional. The prescription will include the diagnosis, and will further specify the intervention modalities to be carried out by the physiotherapist. The prescription may also include the number of sessions and their frequency.
Can service users refer/seek directly asks the physiotherapist to provide services (assessment, intervention or treatment)?
No
Is Self-referral allowed or possible within the national health system?
No
Is Self-referral allowed or possible outside the national health system?
No
In the case a medical/ physician referral is needed, are there limitations?
No
Do the expected competencies of graduates from entry-level physical therapy programmes prepare them to accept self-referrals on qualification?
No
Clarifications:
In the field of health promotion and prevention no physician referral is needed.
Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
Continuing professional development (CPD): Is a systematic, ongoing structured process of maintaining, developing and enhancing skills, knowledge and competence both professionally and personally. The aim is to develop the clinical performance at work. The individual physiotherapist undertakes her/his CPD activity systematically keeping a record of her/his clinical reflection and learning. This process strengthens the personal and professional profile along with quality service to the patient/clients
CPD in the country is:
Mandatory by regulatory authority
CPD is monitored by:
Individual member / Self-monitored
What is the CPD approach in the country?
More information on what is recorded
Does the MO offer advice on career pathways to its members?
No
Is this advice in relation to:
Further information on the advise the MO provides
Does the MO offer CPD courses to its members?
Yes
Courses are to
Does the MO survey their members about CPD?
Yes
Who is financing or otherwise supporting CPD?
Self
Employer
Other
Other - Responsible for financing
Who provides the MOST financial support
Clarifications:
You can apply for the MTD-CPD-Zertifikat as a voluntary certificate of your CPD via Physio Austria. The approach of this tool is input as well as outcome based. More information in German: www.physioaustria.at/allgemeine-information/mtd-cpd-zertifikat
Clinical Specialisation
Physiotherapy clinical specialisation recognised?
No
Physiotherapy clinical specialisation recognised by
Recognised clinical specialisations
Clarifications:
Permanent Stay
Documents you must provide / the application (attachment) or information to be submitted:
- Application to practise physiotherapy, signed by you. You may use the standard application form or an accompanying letter
- Your curriculum vitae
- Diploma, qualification certificate, exam certificate or other proof of successful completion of physiotherapy training
- Detailed curriculum of studies / training programme
- Certificates for any relevant further training (e.g. specialist training)
- Proof of professional experience
- Proof of nationality (passport, identity card)
- Evidence of good repute: criminal record check or extract from "judicial record" from your home country (no more than 3 months old)
- Medical certificate demonstrating fitness to practise physiotherapy (no more than 3 months old). Certificates delivered by doctors from any EU country -or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland- are accepted
- Proof of German - language skills
- Marriage certificate - only required if you changed your name when you got married
- Registration of residence in Austria or appointment of an official representative there.
All documents – except your identity card/passport – must be in German . You can submit documents in other languages, but each must be accompanied by a certified translation, provided by an officially recognised translator in Austria - or in any other EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.
You may be able to find an officially recognised translator by contacting- the relevant national translation body.
If the documents you submit are copies, they must be certified – by a court or public notary.
Responsible authority:
Bundesministerium für Arbeit, Soziales, Gesundheit und Konsumentenschutz
Stubenring 1
1010 Wien
Telefon: +43 (1) 711 00 - 0
E-Mail: post@sozialministerium.at
When can you expect an answer:
1 month – from the time they receive your application – to acknowledge receipt and ask you for any other documents they require
4 months to take a decision – from the time they have a complete application in their possession.
Cost:
€350 (approximately)The authority will inform you about the payment details during the recognition procedure.
Temporary Stay
Documents you must provide / the application (attachment) or information to be submitted:
- Proof of nationality (passport, identity card)
- Evidence of good repute: criminal record check or extract from "judicial record" from your home country (no more than 3 months old)
- Certificate(s) from the relevant authority in your home country or the country where you have been living, showing that you are a legally practising physiotherapist and that you are not barred from practising, permanently or temporarily
- Proof of qualification (certificate, exam certificate or other proof of successful completion of physiotherapy training).
Responsible authority:
Provincial governments.
When can you expect an answer:
1 month – from the time they receive your application – to acknowledge receipt and ask you for any other documents they require
2 months to take a decision – from the time they have a complete application in their possession.
Cost:
€40 (approximately).
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