Tomorrow, Friday 8 September, is World Physiotherapy Day, promoted by World Physiotherapy since 1996 with the aim of informing the population about the fundamental contribution that Physiotherapy and Physiotherapists provide to citizens and patients. The theme proposed this year at a global level is rheumatic diseases and in particular rheumatoid arthritis.
Like every year, the Italian Association of Physiotherapy (AIFI) develops a series of initiatives around this event, this year with the particular novelty of the close collaboration with the 38 Orders of Physiotherapists (OFI) and the related Federation (FNOFI) established last December 15th.
The slogan launched by FNOFI and AIFI is 'Physiotherapy in all places of life': in all hospital departments (from intensive care to post-acute hospitalization), in residential and day facilities for the disabled and the elderly, in public and private clinics, in home care, in research centers.
But the contribution of Physiotherapy is increasingly essential and indisputable also in sports facilities, schools and workplaces, as well as in the 'new' places provided for by the Pnrr and the DM77 such as Community Houses, Community Hospitals and Hospices. In all these places physiotherapy can give added value to the quality of life of people.
Yesterday AIFI took part in the press conference to present the World Physiotherapy Day, organized by FNOFI and hosted at the Ministry of Health. “According to a recent report by WHO Europe - declared the president of AIFI, Simone Cecchetto - there are 27 million people in Italy who need rehabilitation“.
“Physiotherapy - continued Cecchetto - intervenes with competence and passion in numerous fields of specialization that have seen significant scientific and cultural development thanks also to the Groups and Networks of Specialized Interest (GIS/NIS) of Aifi: for example, musculoskeletal, neurological, pelvic-perineal, cardio-respiratory, lymphological dysfunctions and specific problems in children, the elderly and athletes”.
“As AIFI - he also said - we are developing and supporting research projects on gender and personalized physiotherapy. The literature already tells us that males and females improve differently in different conditions and benefit more from different intervention methods, just as we personalize the strategies on the individual patient depending on many other aspects that will be the focus of 'Tailored Physiotherapy', our national conference that will be held on November 10 and 11 in Bologna”.
“There is an ever-increasing need for physiotherapists in university roles,” Cecchetto emphasized on the sidelines of the event, “both to enhance the teaching of the 2.800 students who undertake our basic study courses every year, as well as for the students of the many master's and master's degrees, and to enhance research in physiotherapy in all the fields in which it operates, not only rehabilitation but also prevention, evaluation, treatment, habilitation and palliation.”
Tonight at 21.00:XNUMX p.m. on the #AIFICHANNEL YouTube channel, a special episode will be aired dedicated to the role of Physiotherapy in rheumatic diseases and in particular in rheumatoid arthritis. “It will be an important opportunity for discussion,” declared Filippa Piazzese, the national AIFI manager for the development of knowledge of Physiotherapy among citizens, “between associations of people with rheumatic diseases, medical specialists and physiotherapists with specific skills, with the aim of presenting the best answers to the health needs of these citizens.”
Among the initiatives launched by AIFI, one looks abroad. Tomorrow and Saturday 9 September, in fact, AIFI physiotherapists will meet for the first time with those of Austria and Slovenia in the Austrian city of Klagenfurt in the international congress entitled 'Keeping over borders: research and good practice' for a common transnational development of research and best practices in Physiotherapy.
In these days the Territorial Sections of AIFI are also collaborating on dozens of local events organized throughout the country by the Orders of Physiotherapists, providing the specific contribution of scientific society in the different fields of intervention. The complete list of events is available on the websites of FNOFI and AIFI.
In addition to the Italian translations, by the foreign area and GTM of AIFI, of the Infographics produced for the event by World Physiotherapy on rheumatoid arthritis, on the website www.aifi.net a page 'Materials for citizens' has been created for the occasion, which collects brochures, videos and podcasts produced over time by AIFI to tell the world about Physiotherapy. And other new products will be published right in these days by the GIS and NIS of AIFI.
Finally, an opportunity to involve all physiotherapists and citizens. AIFI is also proposing this year the campaign 'A blue ribbon for Physiotherapy', that is, to wear a blue ribbon on 7 and 8 September and publish photos and videos on social media to tell the world how important Physiotherapy is for the health of citizens, tagging @aifisocial and using the hashtags #aifi #fnofi #fisioterapia #WPTday.
“Physiotherapy – concluded President Cecchetto – is increasingly proving to be a science and a discipline capable of reducing citizens’ health needs and improving their quality of life. It is a profitable investment in the future and, as such, essential to guarantee and increase the sustainability of the Health System”.
Article published on 7 September 2023 - 18:30
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