The National Council of the Order of Physiotherapists is World Physiotherapy's member organisation in France. Through its work, it is helping to strengthen physiotherapy practice, improve access to care, and support better health outcomes for people across France.
France, like many countries, is facing growing public health challenges linked to sedentary lifestyles, chronic disease, and an ageing population. The Order believes physiotherapists have an increasingly important role to play in addressing these challenges through prevention, rehabilitation, and improved access to care.
Improving access to physiotherapy care
One of the most significant developments in recent years has been the expansion of direct access to physiotherapists. A law introduced in May 2023 allows patients to consult physiotherapists working in hospitals, clinics, and multidisciplinary health centres without first obtaining a medical prescription.
The Order strongly supports this change, recognising its potential to reduce delays for patients, improve access to services, and strengthen the role of physiotherapists within primary care teams. It believes wider implementation of direct access is an important step towards meeting growing healthcare needs across France.
Protecting patients and upholding professional standards
Protecting patients is a key priority for the Order. Its work includes tackling sexual and gender-based violence, preventing professional misconduct, and promoting safe, ethical practice across the profession.
The Order provides guidance to physiotherapists, raises awareness of professional responsibilities, and strengthens disciplinary processes when necessary. It has also developed resources highlighting practices that lack scientific evidence, helping to promote evidence-based care and maintain public confidence in the profession.
Through these initiatives, the Order aims to ensure physiotherapy services are safe, respectful, and aligned with the profession's core principles.
Pascale Mathieu, president of the National Council of the Order of Physiotherapists, said: "Physiotherapy now plays an essential role in major public health challenges. Our collective responsibility is to support the evolution of the profession with high standards, while guaranteeing both quality of care, patient protection and a high level of professional competence."
Protecting healthcare workers’ safety
At the same time, the Order continues its commitment to preventing and combating violence committed against physiotherapists, by supporting professionals confronted with such situations, raising awareness within the profession and strengthening reporting and protection mechanisms.
Supporting research and education
The Order actively supports the development of physiotherapy research and contributes to the funding of research projects. It also advocates for a common and harmonised education framework across Europe, helping to ensure high standards of professional competence and support patient safety.
By strengthening both research and education, the Order aims to support the continued development of an evidence-based profession equipped to meet future healthcare needs.
Read more about the training framework
Promoting prevention and healthy ageing
Prevention is another key area of focus. Physiotherapists play an important role throughout the life course, helping to reduce the impact of sedentary lifestyles, musculoskeletal conditions, chronic diseases, and falls among older people.
They also contribute to promoting physical activity, supporting healthy ageing, and maintaining independence. The Order considers this preventive role essential to addressing current and future public health challenges.
Removing barriers to physiotherapy care
Improving access to physiotherapy services remains a key priority. Like many countries, France faces regional disparities in the distribution of healthcare professionals, creating challenges for patients seeking timely access to care.
Through its national register, the Order monitors workforce trends and maintains detailed data on the profession's demographics, practice patterns, and geographical distribution. It regularly publishes analyses and evidence to help inform public policy, support workforce planning, and improve the organisation of healthcare services.
By identifying gaps in provision and future workforce needs, the Order aims to support more equitable access to physiotherapy care across the country.
Supporting the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The Order is also contributing to discussions on the role of AI in healthcare. These technologies have the potential to support prevention, education, healthcare delivery, and professional practice.
However, the Order believes their development must be guided by a clear ethical framework that safeguards patient safety, protects health data, and preserves the quality of the therapeutic relationship.
AI should be viewed as a tool that supports healthcare professionals and patients, rather than replacing the expertise, judgement, and trust that are central to physiotherapy practice.
Through these initiatives and others, the Order is helping to lead discussions on some of the most important issues facing the profession today, including direct access, prevention, workforce planning, patient protection, and the responsible use of AI.
Its work reflects the growing contribution physiotherapists can make to improving public health and strengthening healthcare system.
