File
Lopes AMF1,2, Knutsdottir S3,4, Böhle E5,6, Haase E7,8, Bazin S9
1Alcoitão School of Health Sciences, Physiotherapy, Alcoitão - Estoril, Portugal, 2Past Chairman ER WCPT, Lisbon, Portugal, 3Landspitali University Hospital, Physiotherapy Department, Reykjavik, Iceland, 4Past Vice Chairman ER WCPT, Reykjavik, Iceland, 5Private Practioner, Koln, Germany, 6past member of the Executive Committee of ER WCPT, Koln, Germany, 7Retired, Copenhagen, Denmark, 8past President of SLCP, Copenhagen, Denmark, 9Immediate Past Chairman ER-WCPT, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Background: The European Region of World Confederation for Physical Therapy (ER-WCPT) was established through a merger of WCPT-Europe (WCPT-E) and the Standing Liaison Committee of Physiotherapists in the European Union (EU) (SLCP) in 1998. The SLCP was founded in 1979 by 9 physiotherapy organisations from the European Economic Community (EEC) countries, (15 in 1993) to address issues at European Union (EU) level that could affect physiotherapy.
WCPT-E was founded by 18 physiotherapy organisations after regionalisation of WCPT in 1991 with focus on professional and educational issues. The Member Organisations (MOs) of the SLCP were also members of WCPT-E. The activities of both organisations overlapped with duplication of work and additional costs. In 1997 both organisations agreed on a merger.
Purpose: To describe the methodology of the establishment and achievements of ER-WCPT, supported by documentary analysis and statements.
Methods: A taskforce, with members from both organisations, was established with the aim of creating a new organisation with common identity and a shared vision, to achieve greater efficiency, reduced cost and allowing physiotherapists a common voice in Europe. Bylaws were drafted involving the MOs. In 1998, the two organisations agreed the draft proposal, dissolved the old organisations and the new organisation was established.
A general secretary was employed and an office set up in Brussels. Working groups (WGs) on educational, professional and EU matters led by members of the Executive Committee were established.
Results: MOs have increased to 39. With the headquarters in Brussels and an employed general secretary, communication and observation at EU level has improved and give the profession a strong force in European Healthcare.
Costs have been reduced by running one organisation. The activities have increased through participation of the MOs in the working groups.
Policies and recommendation papers have been approved on educational, professional and EU matters. Surveys among the MOs have been executed on the practice of physiotherapy in Europe. ER-WCPT takes part at meetings of the WHO Europe.
It is a member of the European Health Forum and on EU Platform for action on Diet, Physical activity and Health and is on the Executive of Establishment of the Professional Card (EFPC). It has alliance with other health professional bodies in Europe and a Memorandum of Understanding with the Doctors (CPME) has been signed.
ER-WCPT has been involved in various EU activities and given comments on draft directives.
An evidence based exercise programme created by PT`s focused on preventing back pain in children and adolescents and smoking cessation for specific risk groups was funded by the EU.
Educational/European conferences have been held every forth´ year and workshops /conferences held on specific topics. Assistance has been given to MOs according to needs.
A Foundation has been established to give the ER-WCPT a legal status.
Conclusion(s): The ER-WCPT has enlarged the scope of regional activities thanks to the WGs and active involvement of the MOs.
Implications: Through the merger, the profession has a strong representation of interests in Europe.
Keywords: Professional development, Professional organizations, European Region of WCPT
Funding acknowledgements: No funds received.
WCPT-E was founded by 18 physiotherapy organisations after regionalisation of WCPT in 1991 with focus on professional and educational issues. The Member Organisations (MOs) of the SLCP were also members of WCPT-E. The activities of both organisations overlapped with duplication of work and additional costs. In 1997 both organisations agreed on a merger.
Purpose: To describe the methodology of the establishment and achievements of ER-WCPT, supported by documentary analysis and statements.
Methods: A taskforce, with members from both organisations, was established with the aim of creating a new organisation with common identity and a shared vision, to achieve greater efficiency, reduced cost and allowing physiotherapists a common voice in Europe. Bylaws were drafted involving the MOs. In 1998, the two organisations agreed the draft proposal, dissolved the old organisations and the new organisation was established.
A general secretary was employed and an office set up in Brussels. Working groups (WGs) on educational, professional and EU matters led by members of the Executive Committee were established.
Results: MOs have increased to 39. With the headquarters in Brussels and an employed general secretary, communication and observation at EU level has improved and give the profession a strong force in European Healthcare.
Costs have been reduced by running one organisation. The activities have increased through participation of the MOs in the working groups.
Policies and recommendation papers have been approved on educational, professional and EU matters. Surveys among the MOs have been executed on the practice of physiotherapy in Europe. ER-WCPT takes part at meetings of the WHO Europe.
It is a member of the European Health Forum and on EU Platform for action on Diet, Physical activity and Health and is on the Executive of Establishment of the Professional Card (EFPC). It has alliance with other health professional bodies in Europe and a Memorandum of Understanding with the Doctors (CPME) has been signed.
ER-WCPT has been involved in various EU activities and given comments on draft directives.
An evidence based exercise programme created by PT`s focused on preventing back pain in children and adolescents and smoking cessation for specific risk groups was funded by the EU.
Educational/European conferences have been held every forth´ year and workshops /conferences held on specific topics. Assistance has been given to MOs according to needs.
A Foundation has been established to give the ER-WCPT a legal status.
Conclusion(s): The ER-WCPT has enlarged the scope of regional activities thanks to the WGs and active involvement of the MOs.
Implications: Through the merger, the profession has a strong representation of interests in Europe.
Keywords: Professional development, Professional organizations, European Region of WCPT
Funding acknowledgements: No funds received.
Topic: Professional issues
Ethics approval required: No
Institution: N/A
Ethics committee: N/A
Reason not required: narrative review
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
