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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
Axxon, Physical Therapy in Belgium is a national association with 2 regional divisions: Axxon, Kwaliteit (Dutch) and Axxon, Qualité (French). Axxon Kwaliteit has a separate office in Antwerp. There are 9 staff employees in total. Every branch of Axxon holds monthly executive committee meetings and has some liaisons with other health care professions and with the authorities.
Address
Imperiastraat 16
1930
Zaventem
Belgium
Telefon
00 32 2 709 70 80
Website
Social media:
Number of Members:
5 221
Europe region Primary Contact
President
Chief Executive Officer
Tim Németh - tim.nemeth@axxon.be
Peter Bruynooghe - peter.bruynooghe@axxon.be
Marina Gasten / marina.gasten@axxon.be
General Secretary
Contact for Students
Luc Dieleman - lucas.dieleman@telenet.be
11.697.557
Population
25.747
Practising Physiotherapists
5 221
Physiotherapists' Members
Publications
Newsletters
yes
Journals
Scientific Publications
no
Events
Organisation Congress
Congress Geriatric Physiotherapy in September 2019
The European Region Congress on Physiotherapy Education on 11 and 12 September 2020
Other events
Physiotherapy Day on 8 September every year
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.
Master of Science in Rehabilitation sciences and physiotherapy
12
School years needed before entering the Physiotherapy Programme
4 for Wallonia and 5 for Flanders
Years of the Physiotherapy Education Programme
240 and 300
ECTS
1st and 2nd
Correspondent Bologna Cycle
To be verified
To be verified
To be verified
National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level
European Qualifications Framework (EQF) level
International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED)
Professional Title
English title
National language titles
Physiotherapist (Not protected by law)
Kinesitherapeut (Dutch) (Protected by law)
Kinésithérapeut(e) (French) (Protected by law)
Physiotherapeut (German) (Protected by law)
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
No
Permitted to Assess?
Yes
Permitted to Diagnose?
No
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?
Yes
Do the expected competencies of graduates from entry-level physical therapy programmes prepare them to accept self-referrals on qualification?
Yes
Clarifications:
Axxon aimes at achieving Direct Access. Intensive discussions are ongoing for further steps. The Federal Council for Physiotherapy deals with proposals to change Royal Decree nr.78 that regulates the health professions. A first step has been achieved in April 2014.The Royal Decree is under revision by the authorities since 2016. Expected progress/change in 2024.
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:
Voluntary
CPD is monitored by:
Self monitored
What is the CPD approach in the country?
Outcome based (quality of learning e.g. reflective practice, competencies)
Input based (quantity of learning e.g. number hours, days, credit points)
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
cardio-respiratory, obesity, diabetes, Oncology, running clinic, digital applications, Evidence Based Practice Tools, Covid19
Does the MO survey their members about CPD?
Yes
Who is financing or otherwise supporting CPD?
Self
Employer
Other - Responsible for financing
Who provides the MOST financial support
Self funded
Clarifications:
Clinical Specialisation
Physiotherapy clinical specialisation recognised?
Yes
Physiotherapy clinical specialisation recognised by
Health Authorities
Recognised clinical specialisations
Cardiovascular
Manual Therapy
Neurology
Paediatrics
Respiratory
Women’s Health
Clarifications:
Permanent Stay
Documents you must provide / the application (attachment) or information to be submitted:
The following link will provide the applicant with all information:
http://www.health.belgium.be/eportal/Healthcare/healthcareprofessions/Physiotherapists/InternationalMobility/index.htm?fodnlang=en#.VpbCqMpIibw
Responsible authority:
The following link will provide the applicant with all information:
http://www.health.belgium.be/eportal/Healthcare/healthcareprofessions/Physiotherapists/InternationalMobility/index.htm?fodnlang=en#.VpbCqMpIibw
When can you expect an answer:
The following link will provide the applicant with all information:
http://www.health.belgium.be/eportal/Healthcare/healthcareprofessions/Physiotherapists/InternationalMobility/index.htm?fodnlang=en#.VpbCqMpIibw
Cost:
The following link will provide the applicant with all information:
http://www.health.belgium.be/eportal/Healthcare/healthcareprofessions/Physiotherapists/InternationalMobility/index.htm?fodnlang=en#.VpbCqMpIibw
Temporary Stay
Documents you must provide / the application (attachment) or information to be submitted:
The following link will provide the applicant with all information:
http://www.health.belgium.be/eportal/Healthcare/healthcareprofessions/Physiotherapists/InternationalMobility/index.htm?fodnlang=en#.VpbCqMpIibw
Responsible authority:
The following link will provide the applicant with all information:
http://www.health.belgium.be/eportal/Healthcare/healthcareprofessions/Physiotherapists/InternationalMobility/index.htm?fodnlang=en#.VpbCqMpIibw
When can you expect an answer:
The following link will provide the applicant with all information:
http://www.health.belgium.be/eportal/Healthcare/healthcareprofessions/Physiotherapists/InternationalMobility/index.htm?fodnlang=en#.VpbCqMpIibw
Cost:
The following link will provide the applicant with all information:
http://www.health.belgium.be/eportal/Healthcare/healthcareprofessions/Physiotherapists/InternationalMobility/index.htm?fodnlang=en#.VpbCqMpIibw
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