Publicação
Physiotherapists in Portugal: a 2024 overview
| Resumo: | Population ageing highlights the importance of healthy behaviors, with physiotherapy playing a key role in prevention and active ageing. This study aimed to characterize the active physiotherapist workforce in Portugal and assess its availability nationally and by municipality. Data from the Portuguese Order of Physiotherapists and national statistics showed that, in 2024, 11,552 physiotherapists were active, mostly female, with a mean age of 35.4 years. Portugal has 111.7 physiotherapists per 100,000 inhabitants, below the European average. Significant geographical inequalities were identified, with most municipalities having low availability and some showing extremely low ratios. These disparities raise concerns and highlight the need for more equitable workforce distribution. |
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| Autores principais: | Medeiros, Paula C.D.R. |
| Outros Autores: | Pires, Tomas M.; Pimenta, Rafael E.F.; Alves, Solange M. |
| Assunto: | Physiotherapy workforce Healthcare availability Geographic inequalities Active ageing |
| Ano: | 2025 |
| País: | Portugal |
| Tipo de documento: | documento de conferência |
| Tipo de acesso: | acesso aberto |
| Instituição associada: | Instituto Politécnico de Bragança |
| Idioma: | inglês |
| Origem: | Biblioteca Digital do IPB |
| Resumo: | Population ageing highlights the importance of healthy behaviors, with physiotherapy playing a key role in prevention and active ageing. This study aimed to characterize the active physiotherapist workforce in Portugal and assess its availability nationally and by municipality. Data from the Portuguese Order of Physiotherapists and national statistics showed that, in 2024, 11,552 physiotherapists were active, mostly female, with a mean age of 35.4 years. Portugal has 111.7 physiotherapists per 100,000 inhabitants, below the European average. Significant geographical inequalities were identified, with most municipalities having low availability and some showing extremely low ratios. These disparities raise concerns and highlight the need for more equitable workforce distribution. |
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