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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
Stadthof
Centralstrasse 8b
Sursee
CH-6210
Switzerland
Telefon
(41) 41 926 69 69
Website
Social media:
Number of Members:
9 000
Europe region Primary Contact
President
Chief Executive Officer
Iris Keller-Ey
Mirjam Stauffer / mirjam.stauffer@physioswiss.ch
Mirjam Stauffer / mirjam.stauffer@physioswiss.ch
Osman Besic / osman.besic@physioswiss.ch
General Secretary
Contact for Students
8 400 000
Population
11 000
Practising Physiotherapists
9 000
Physiotherapists' Members
Publications
Newsletters
Journals
- physioactive
- physiomagazin
- physioscience
- physiofacts
Scientific Publications
Events
Organisation Congress
Congress every other year
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
13
School years needed before entering the Physiotherapy Programme
4.0
Years of the Physiotherapy Education Programme
180
ECTS
1st
Correspondent Bologna Cycle
Level 6
Level 6
Level 6
National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level
European Qualifications Framework (EQF) level
International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED)
Professional Title
English title
National language titles
Physiotherapist
Physiothérapeute
Practice and Regulation
Professional Autonomy
Standards of practice
No
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?
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)?
Yes
Is Self-referral allowed or possible within the national health system?
No
Is Self-referral allowed or possible outside the national health system?
Yes
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:
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
Mandatory by professional body
CPD is monitored by:
Not 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?
No
Who is financing or otherwise supporting CPD?
Self
Employer
Other - Responsible for financing
Who provides the MOST financial support
Clarifications:
Clinical Specialisation
Physiotherapy clinical specialisation recognised?
Yes
Physiotherapy clinical specialisation recognised by
Member Organisation
Recognised clinical specialisations
- Musculoskeletal
- Neurology
- Older People - Geriatrics
- Paediatrics
Clarifications:
Permanent Stay
Documents you must provide / the application (attachment) or information to be submitted:
If you wish to work as a physiotherapist in Switzerland on a permanent basis, please see https://www.redcross.ch/de/srk-dienstleistungen/anerkennung-auslaendischer-ausbildungsabschluesse/ablauf-des
Responsible authority:
Schweizerisches Rotes Kreuz
Swiss Red Cross
Werkstrasse 18
3084
https://www.redcross.ch/de/gesundheit/gesundheit-zusammenleben-teilhaben
When can you expect an answer:
Once you have sent your documents, the authorities have:
1 month (from the time they receive your application) to acknowledge receipt and either confirm it is complete or 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:
The costs are up to 1000 CHF. Additionally, there may be costs for assessments or CPD.
Temporary Stay
Documents you must provide / the application (attachment) or information to be submitted:
Switzerland does not apply the EU laws on temporary provision of services. However, under an agreement with the EU, you can work in Switzerland occasionally for a maximum of 90 working days a year. Please see https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/sbfi/de/home/themen/diploma/meldeverfahren-fuer-dienstleistungserbringende-aus-der-eu-efta.html
Responsible authority:
Staatssekretariat für Bildung,
Forschung und Innovation SBFI
Meldestelle
Ressort IBQ
Einsteinstrasse 2
CH-3003 Bern
https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/sbfi/de/home/themen/diploma/meldeverfahren-fuer-dienstleistungserbringende-aus-der-eu-efta/zustaendige-meldestelle.html
When can you expect an answer:
Not applicable.
Cost:
Not applicable.
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