Proposals for Physiotherapy Units in National Healthcare System
Portugal's Unified Health System (SNS) currently falls short in the number of physiotherapists, compared to the European Union average. In an interview with Lusa news agency, António Lopes, the president of the order of physiotherapists, emphasized the importance of prompt physiotherapy after surgery, stating that it is more beneficial to receive treatment days following surgery, rather than waiting months.
Lopes mentioned that it is common for patients to not have access to physiotherapy care immediately after surgery, with many only receiving treatment three months later in the private sector. He lamented that, by this time, the consequences had already set in, making it difficult to overcome them.
The president was quick to clarify that this order is not against the private sector but emphasized the need for physiotherapy units in the SNS to address patients' immediate needs. Furthermore, Lopes stressed the importance of including physiotherapists in primary health care teams, especially in regions like the Algarve Local Health Unit (ULS), where currently, only 30 physiotherapists are employed in primary health care, while other ULS units have none or few.
When asked about the ideal number of physiotherapists for the SNS, Lopes suggested that it should be the majority of professionals registered with the order, which numbers 13,406, with only 1,500 currently working in the SNS. Compared to the EU, at 137,000 physiotherapists per 100,000 inhabitants, Portugal falls short with 110 physiotherapists per 100,000.
This shortage of physiotherapists will be a significant theme at the upcoming "12th National Congress of Physiotherapists," with around 500 participants expected. The creation of physiotherapy services and units in the SNS is crucial to bridge the gap between Portugal's current physiotherapy workforce and the European standards.
- The Algarve Local Health Unit (ULS) in Portugal currently employs only 30 physiotherapists in primary health care, despite the need for immediate post-surgery treatment.
- The 12th National Congress of Physiotherapists will focus on the significant shortage of physiotherapists in Portugal, where there are only 110 physiotherapists per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to the EU average of 137,000.
- António Lopes, the president of the order of physiotherapists, stresses the importance of prompt physiotherapy after surgery, especially for chronic diseases and medical conditions, and believes that the number of physiotherapists in the Unified Health System (SNS) should be increased to meet European standards.
- Despite not being against the private sector, Lopes emphasizes the need for physiotherapy units in the SNS to address patients' immediate needs for health and wellness, including fitness and exercise, cardiovascular health, nutrition, and mental health.
- Excluding regions like the Algarve, other ULS units in Portugal have none or few physiotherapists, which may negatively impact patients with cancer or those recovering from surgery.
- The ideal number of physiotherapists for the SNS, according to Lopes, should be increased significantly, as there are currently only 1,500 physiotherapists working in the SNS out of a total of 13,406 registered professionals, which could help improve medical conditions and reduce complications from chronic diseases in Portugal.
