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The data has been provided by the Member Organisation and to the extent possible are a true reflection of the situation in the country, however not all figures are authoritative and should be interpreted accordingly.
For questions or feedback please contact info@erwcpt.eu
General View
Country Profile
Education
Profession & Practice
CPD & Specialisation
Migration & Mobility
Address
Royal College of Surgeons
123 St Stephens Green
Dublin 2
Ireland
Telefon
(353) 1 402 2148
Website
Social media:
Number of Members:
3 018
Europe Region Primary Contact
President
Chief Executive Officer
Catherine McLoughlin / president@iscp.ie
Marie O'Mir / marieomir@iscp.ie
General Secretary
Contact for Students
5 056 935
Population
5 300
Practising Physiotherapists
3 018
Physiotherapists' Members
Publications
Newsletters
Yes
Journals
Physiotherapy Practice and Research
Scientific Publications
Yes
Events
Organisation Congress
Annual Conference October each year - see website for details
Other events
World Physiotherapy Day 8th September
National women's mini marathon.
Dublin City Marathon
Entry Level Educational programmes: Those programmes that prepares graduates for entry into practice of physiotherapy. They bring a person to the point of being able to practice as a physiotherapist in the country of education. Entry requirements, length of the education programmes and the final qualification obtained may vary within and across countries.
World Physiotherapy definition: “Entry level physical therapist professional education programmes are those that equip physical therapists to practise as independent professionals. World Physiotherapy recommends that education for entry-level physical therapists should be based on university or university-level studies of a minimum of four years, independently validated and accredited as being at a standard that affords graduates full statutory and professional recognition.”
In some countries it could be a difference between education itself and access to the profession such as possible legal requirements to practice – i.e. registration or training period.
Bachelor’s degree BSc (Phyio), B. Physio or MSc Physio
13
School years needed before entering the Physiotherapy Programme
4.0
Years of the Physiotherapy Education Programme
240
ECTS
1st
Correspondent Bologna Cycle
Level 6
Level 8
Level 5
National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level
European Qualifications Framework (EQF) level
International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED)
Professional Title
English title
National language titles
Physiotherapist
Physiotherapist
Practice and Regulation
Professional Autonomy
Standards of practice
Yes
Code of conduct
Yes
Registration required to practice
No
Re-registration required
No
Re-registration frequency
CPD required for re-registration
Yes
Permitted to Assess?
Yes
Permitted to Diagnose?
Yes
Permitted to Treat?
Yes
Permitted to Refer on to other specialities/services?
Yes
Permitted to Refer on to other tests or examinations (MRI, Radiography, US)?
No
Access to Physiotherapy
Access to physiotherapy: Ability of a client or patient to be referred to a physiotherapist for assessment and treatment. There are different types:
1. Direct access: The patient/client directly asks the physiotherapist to provide services (The patients refer themselves). The physiotherapist freely decides his conduct and takes full responsibility for it. Also when the physiotherapist has direct access to patients/clients and determines those that need a physiotherapy assessment/intervention without referral from a third party.
2. Access by referral: The patient/client has access to the physiotherapist by referral from another health professional (medical practitioner or other).
3. Access by referral with the freedom to decide intervention: The patient/client has access to the physiotherapist by referral from another health professional. The prescription will not indicate the technical modalities used in the intervention.
4. Access by referral with an imposed programme of intervention: The patient/client has access to the physiotherapist by referral from another health professional. The prescription will include the diagnosis, and will further specify the intervention modalities to be carried out by the physiotherapist. The prescription may also include the number of sessions and their frequency.
Can service users refer/seek directly asks the physiotherapist to provide services (assessment, intervention or treatment)?
Yes
Is Self-referral allowed or possible within the national health system?
Yes
Is Self-referral allowed or possible outside the national health system?
Yes
In the case a medical/ physician referral is needed, are there limitations?
No
Do the expected competencies of graduates from entry-level physical therapy programmes prepare them to accept self-referrals on qualification?
Yes
Clarifications:
Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
Continuing professional development (CPD): Is a systematic, ongoing structured process of maintaining, developing and enhancing skills, knowledge and competence both professionally and personally. The aim is to develop the clinical performance at work. The individual physiotherapist undertakes her/his CPD activity systematically keeping a record of her/his clinical reflection and learning. This process strengthens the personal and professional profile along with quality service to the patient/clients
CPD in the country is:
Mandatory
CPD is monitored by:
Regulatory Authority
What is the CPD approach in the country?
Outcome based (quality of learning e.g. reflective practice, competencies)
Input based (quantity of learning e.g. number hours, days, credit points)
More information on what is recorded
Required to complete 30 CPD credits of new or enhanced learning within a 12 month period. Random audit of 2% of registered physiotherapsits called on 1st October every 24 months and submit 2 records of 30 credits for each 12 month period
Does the MO offer advice on career pathways to its members?
Yes
Is this advice in relation to:
Further information on the advise the MO provides
Advice regarding free CPD resources, CPD Recording, Research and Evidence Based Practice. The organisation has developed a career and education framework (2023).
Does the MO offer CPD courses to its members?
Yes
Courses are to
Wide range of clinical and non clicial courses are organised by the orgnaisation.
Does the MO survey their members about CPD?
Yes
Who is financing or otherwise supporting CPD?
Self, HSCP office
Employer
Professional Body
Commercial Sector
Private Sector
Other - Responsible for financing
HSCP office provides funding for delievry of courses for physiotherapists and other health and social care professionals working in the public sector. Private physiotherapists would be self funded . Physiotherapists can apply for bursaries awarded by the clinical interest groups
Who provides the MOST financial support
Clarifications:
Physios required to complete 30 CPD credits of new or enhanced learning in a 12 month cycle. Radom audit of 2% pf regulated physios called on 1st October every 24 months Required to submite 2 x 12 month records w
Clinical Specialisation
Physiotherapy clinical specialisation recognised?
Yes
Physiotherapy clinical specialisation recognised by
member organisation, clinical interest groups
Recognised clinical specialisations
- Cardiovascular
- Manual Therapy
- Mental Health
- Musculoskeletal
- Neurology
- Obstetric - Gynaecology - Urology
- Older People - Geriatrics
- Oncology and Palliative Care
- Orthopaedics
- Paediatrics
- Health promotion - Prevention – Ergonomics
- Respiratory
- Rehabilitation
- Rheumatology
- Traumatology
- Sports
- Stroke Care
- Women’s Health
Clarifications:
Permanent Stay
Documents you must provide / the application (attachment) or information to be submitted:
From 30th September 2016 the State Regulatory Authority, CORU, is repsonsible for assessing applications from physiotherapists that qualified outside of the Republic of Ireland for recognition of their qualifications.
For infomration on this process please click on the following link: http://www.coru.ie/en/registration/apply_for_recognition_of_international_qualifications
Responsible authority:
When can you expect an answer:
The recognition procedure takes:
1 month to acknowledge receipt of your application, confirm its completeness or request additional documents.
4 months, to take a decision, once your application is complete.
Cost:
€410
Temporary Stay
Documents you must provide / the application (attachment) or information to be submitted:
If you are an EU or EEA national you may provide physiotherapy services on a temporary or occasional basis in Ireland, once you are legally established as a physiotherapist in your home member state.
Applications should be made to the State Regulator, CORU: http://www.coru.ie/en/registration/apply_for_recognition_of_international_qualifications
Responsible authority:
When can you expect an answer:
Cost:
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