Spotlight on European Region of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT)

Who are we?

The European Region of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation that represents the physiotherapy profession at the European Level.

Who do we represent?

We have a membership of 36 Physiotherapy Associations, one from each European country, including EU Member States, EEA countries and EU applicant countries, representing approximately 150.000 physiotherapists in Europe.

What is our mission?

We aim to improve healthcare and the quality of physiotherapy education and practice in Europe. Physiotherapy is an essential part of healthcare services and the professional role of physiotherapists in providing healthcare is recognised in Europe. Physiotherapists work in hospitals, medical and rehabilitation centres, private practice, as well as in the community, schools and in workplaces.

Physiotherapists have an essential role in rehabilitation, prevention and health promotion.

Our mission is to:

 Promote the development of reciprocity of physiotherapy qualifications and improve the quality of physiotherapy education and practice in Europe.

 Promote physiotherapy in Europe and oversee all related issues.

 Facilitate free migration and the right of establishment of physiotherapists in Europe.

 Encourage closer co-operation among member organisations in professional matters in the interest of improving general health of the population of the region.

 Co-operate with international organisations in Europe.

 Represent the interests of and speak for its member organisations to European Authorities.

 Develop policies and declarations.

 Represent the profession of physiotherapy on a regional basis.

What do we do?

We divide our activities into three areas:

Working Groups

Twinning programs

Partners

Please click on the links above for more detailed information on each of these areas.

More specially, we:

 Promote high standards for physiotherapy education and practice for the European Region.

 Encourage international exchange of physiotherapy research, and encourage evidence based practice.

 Encourage by all means the international exchange of educational curricula, articles, journals, teachers and students.

 Monitor supply and demand of physiotherapists in the region and inform governments and other appropriate bodies of over- and under-supply in relation to demographic needs in co-operation and in consultation with the national Member Organisation.

 Identify and publicise postgraduate physiotherapy programmes recognised by the member organisations and encourage international participation.

 Establish working groups to survey certain chosen areas of physiotherapy.

 Promote and develop educational and professional congresses, seminars and conferences for the benefit of the physiotherapy profession.

 Maintain essential relations with European constituent organisations and authorities. Examine all matters concerned with publication of EU Directives, regulations, projects and all other decisions or proposals which may affect physiotherapists, and inform the competent authorities.

 Promote the physiotherapy profession and its activities via a public relations strategy.

 Encourage the exchange of visits between members of associations, individually or in groups.

How do you get involved?

Please visit our website at www.physio-europe.org for more information.

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