The World Physiotherapy congress programme committee (CPC) recently met in Frankfurt to start developing the scientific programme for World Physiotherapy Congress 2027 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
The CPC held its first meeting in-person last week, and will now hold regular online meetings as planning for the congress, 14-16 May 2027, progresses. The CPC comprises 12 physiotherapists, representing the breadth and diversity of the global profession.
After reviewing evaluation from the World Physiotherapy Congress 2025, the CPC made initial decisions on the programme, including the session formats and topics that will help shape the programme for congress in 2027.
Judith Deutsch, CPC chair, said: “The CPC represents the rich and deep diversity of the profession across geography, clinical focus, research and education specialties, and years of experience as physiotherapists. We collaboratively and thoughtfully reviewed the data from previous congresses to make programme recommendations for the 2027 event in Guadalajara.
“We aim to make the congress highly interactive and plan to engage in the capacity building of session moderators to engage attendees in meaningful conversations with presenters. There may also be some shorter sessions to spice things up!
“While we are keen to make sure that practicing physiotherapists have actionable information to take back to their patients, we are also seeking to support educators and researchers by ensuring that theoretical frameworks and research progressions be noted, where appropriate, in the submissions and presentations.
"We have created some new topics for submissions, including traditional health practices, integrative health, and global and planetary health.
"We are keen to honour the host country's culture and language and aspire to innovate a session with this in mind. We are also working to consider the local culture in the naming of our Indaba and Idobata sessions. Stay tuned!
"In collaboration with the World Physiotherapy congress staff team, we look forward to developing a stimulating and relevant event for physiotherapists taking part - there is lot to be excited about as we carefully plan for World Physiotherapy 2027. Nos Vemos en Guadalajara!"
The website for the World Physiotherapy Congress 2027 will be launched early next year. The call for focused symposia will open in February 2026.
