The Portuguese Association of Physiotherapists celebrated World PT Day (WPTD) with several activities aiming to:
- promote the profession to the public
- promote the initiatives implemented by Portuguese physiotherapists in the context of the commemoration of WPTD
- increase the literacy of the public regarding how physiotherapy can help to manage the impact of COVID-19
- increase the awareness of telehealth and its benefits in several conditions.
To achieve this, the following initiatives were implemented:
- translation of the materials created by World Physiotherapy for WPTD
- creation of an area on the website of the association dedicated to WPTD with the translated materials
- promotion of a contest to reward the best initiative to celebrate WPTD promoted by Portuguese physiotherapists
- a Facebook page dedicated to WPTD where the translated materials and the national initiatives were promoted
- several articles in national newspapers featuring interviews with the President of the Portuguese Association and news in the context of WPTD, the importance of physiotherapy, to the sustainability of the healthHealth: 'Health' is defined in the WHO constitution of 1948 as a state of complete physical, social and mental well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. See also Health promotionSee full list of glossary terms system and the importance of telehealth in the actual context (link1, link2, link3, link4)
- a Facebook frame alluding to WPTD that was shared on the social network
- publication of the new version of the Competency Profile for physiotherapists in Portugal
- an issue of the Portuguese Association of Physiotherapists magazine (Revista FISIO) dedicated to this year's campaign theme around physiotherapy and rehabilitation after COVID-19 (Physiotherapy and COVID-19: Impact, Challenges and Opportunities).
Madeira: Fisioterapeuta Cláudia Ramos Aguiar
Despite the restrictions due to COVID-19, an activity was organized to raise awareness of "Physiotherapy as part of the solution" in the rehabilitation of patients affected by COVID-19. Following the activities carried out throughout the country (and world), we participated in the celebrations of the World PT Day 2020 with the theme: the role of physiotherapists in the treatment and management of people affected by COVID-19.
A respiratory peddy-paper was organized. Due to the standards implemented by the local healthHealth: 'Health' is defined in the WHO constitution of 1948 as a state of complete physical, social and mental well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. See also Health promotionSee full list of glossary terms system, only 20 patients who underwent physiotherapy during the period of greatest contingency of COVID-19 (general pathologies and cerebrovascular/oncological/respiratory non-COVID-19) and members of the involved associations were invited.
The activity took place on 6 September in the Monte Palace Gardens, in partnership with the Raquel Lombardi Association, ANDO-Portugal and Judo Brava Club, B1 PE Covão and Vargem School (activity also included in the Erasmus+ Program) and included educational activities in the area of Information/disinfection and hand hygiene/placement of masks/measurement of vital parameters; Contextualization of the role of respiratory physiotherapy in today's society and context after COVID-19; warm-up exercises; general mobility; thoracic mobility/expandability; strength and balance exercises; stretching and relaxation/musical activities (singing and dancing). At the end we had social interaction moments and lunch, always with the appropriate social distance.
