country flag
Member organisation

Panamanian Association of Physiotherapy and/or Kinesiology

Asociacion Panamena de Fisioterapia y/o KinesiologiaPanamaNorth America Caribbean
mo-hero-overlay
mo-hero-default

Asociacion Panamena de Fisioterapia y/o Kinesiologia/Panamanian Association of Physiotherapy and/or Kinesiology has been a member of World Physiotherapy since 1991 and is part of our North America Caribbean region.

Year established

1982

World Physiotherapy member since

1991

Year members reported

2023

Number of physiotherapist members

113

Contact details

Panama: a profile of the profession in 2023

mo-pdf-iconDownload profilemo-pdf-iconData disclaimerData correct as at 30 June 2023

Professional titles protected by law

tick-icon

Licenciatura en Fisioterapia y/o Kinesiología

About Panamanian Association of Physiotherapy and/or Kinesiology and the physiotherapy profession in Panama

Practising physiotherapists in the country/territory

1,900 (estimated)

4.31

Per 10,000 population

female-icon

% female

52%

In this country/territory

68%

In this region

63%

Globally

Physiotherapist members in this member organisation (MO)

113

female-icon

% female

77%

In this MO

58%

In MOs in this region

58%

In MOs globally

Physiotherapy professional entry level education

Minimum qualification required to practice

Bachelors degree

Equivalent fulltime years

4

Number of programmes

5

Regulation

* = Continuing Professional Development

tick-icon

Registration required to practice

cross-icon

CPD* required for re-registration

cross-icon

CPD* required for membership

Practice

Which authority defines scope of practice

Ministry of Health or another government department

tick-icon

Standards of practice

The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

cross-icon

Education for autonomous practice

All programmes

tick-icon

Legislation supports private practice

Physiotherapists are permitted to

Direct access

*Direct access means a person can refer themselves to a physiotherapist without referral from another health professional

cross-icon

Direct access* permitted?

cross-icon

Can people self refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

Will this be reimbursed?

cross-icon

Can people self refer to physiotherapists in the public system?

Limitations

What are the circumstances in which direct access is limited?

Por ley el fisioterapeuta solo puede atender por la referencia de un medico.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) events

https://www.facebook.com/apafik-107332363986179/

Brisas del Golf, calle 39 occidente

Profile of the profession in this region

A global profile of the profession is also available.

Accessible version of data

  • Expand all
  • Collapse all

Bahamas

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

30 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

1.71 (1-5)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

87% (>80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

91% (>80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

A partnership between a regulation/licensing/registration body and your organisation (Partnership)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is direct access permitted?

No

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Barbados

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

70 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

2.27 (1-5)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

83% (>80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

83% (>80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is direct access permitted?

Private only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Bermuda

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

36 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

8.81 (5-10)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

86% (>80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

82% (>80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

A partnership between a regulation/licensing/registration body and your organisation (Partnership)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The World Physiotherapy member organisation specific standard

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Canada

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

11,937 (>10000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

7.2 (5-10)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

68% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

72% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Masters degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

1.93 (1-5)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Dominican Republic

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

96 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.76 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

76% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

80% (>80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.89 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

el Ministerio de Salud Publica (Other)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, Some programmes (Some)

Is direct access permitted?

Private only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

No

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Guyana

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

66 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.89 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

82% (>80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

81% (>80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

6.18 (5-10)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Allied Health and Professionals Council (Other)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Haiti

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

7 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.04 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

71% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

60% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

0.43 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

No

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Not defined

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

No

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, Some programmes (Some)

Is direct access permitted?

Private only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Jamaica

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

85 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

1.84 (1-5)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

71% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

80% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

1.77 (1-5)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The World Physiotherapy standard

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is direct access permitted?

No

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Panama

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

113 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

4.31 (1-5)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

78% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

53% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

5.67 (5-10)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is direct access permitted?

No

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Puerto Rico

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

307 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

2.22 (1-5)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

63% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

66% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Professional doctorate

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

1.55 (1-5)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is direct access permitted?

No

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

St Lucia

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

13 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.72 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

85% (>80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

92% (>80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

No

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is direct access permitted?

No

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Suriname

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

38 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

1.38 (1-5)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

76% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

84% (>80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Diploma

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

8.09 (5-10)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The World Physiotherapy standard

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is direct access permitted?

No

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

No

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

No

Trinidad and Tobago

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

50 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.59 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

68% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

65% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, More than one

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

No

Is direct access permitted?

Private only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

United States

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

65,817 (>10000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

6.89 (5-10)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

56% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

68% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Professional doctorate

How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?

4.1 (1-5)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The World Physiotherapy member organisation specific standard

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, All programmes (Yes)

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

No

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Related content

left-shape