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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
Address
Rua João Villaret, 285 A
Urbanizacao Terplana
2785-679 São Domingos de Rana
Portugal
Telefon
(351) 210 415 932
Website
Social media:
Number of Members:
10 737
Europe region Primary Contact
President
Chief Executive Officer
António Lopes / amflopes@ordemdosfisioterapeutas.pt
António Lopes / amflopes@ordemdosfisioterapeutas.pt
General Secretary
Contact for Students
10 000 000
Population
12 891
Practising Physiotherapists
10 737
Physiotherapists' Members
Publications
Newsletters
Journals
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.
Licenciatura
12
School years needed before entering the Physiotherapy Programme
4.0
Years of the Physiotherapy Education Programme
240
ECTS
1st
Correspondent Bologna Cycle
Level 6
Level 6
Level 5A
National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level
European Qualifications Framework (EQF) level
International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED)
Professional Title
English title
National language titles
Physiotherapist
Fisioterapeuta
Practice and Regulation
Professional Autonomy
Standards of practice
Yes
Code of conduct
Yes
Registration required to practice
No
Re-registration required
No
Re-registration frequency
CPD required for re-registration
No
Permitted to Assess?
Yes
Permitted to Diagnose?
Yes
Permitted to Treat?
Yes
Permitted to Refer on to other specialities/services?
Yes
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:
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:
CPD is monitored by:
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?
No
Courses are to
Does the MO survey their members about CPD?
No
Who is financing or otherwise supporting CPD?
Other - Responsible for financing
Who provides the MOST financial support
Clarifications:
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:
If you have obtained your professional qualification out of the EU, you should check with responsible authority whether you can apply for the recognition of your professional qualifications.
If you wish to work as a physiotherapist in Portugal on a permanent basis you will have to submit the following documents:
- Photocopy of a diploma
- Document issued by the competent authority of the Member State of origin or provenance certifying that the applicant meets the conditions required by that State to exercise the same profession
- Photocopy of the identity card or passport
- Course study plan, issued by the school (hourly) disciplines and time
- Professional experience supporting documents (optional)
- Proof of payment of a sum amounting to €50
- Documents should be delivered translated into English by official entity (where necessary)
Responsible authority:
When can you expect an answer:
The duration of the recognition procedure is:
1 month to acknowledge receipt of your application and request any documents they need.
3 months to take a decision after reception of all necessary documents.
Cost:
€50
Temporary Stay
Documents you must provide / the application (attachment) or information to be submitted:
If you have obtained your professional qualification out of the EU, you should check with responsible authority whether you can apply for the recognition of your professional qualifications.
Information not yet provided by the national authorities
Responsible authority:
When can you expect an answer:
Information not yet provided by the national authorities.
Cost:
Information not yet provided by the national authorities.
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