Rehabilitation technologies in the training of physiotherapists of the iberian peninsula: An observational study of innovations in higher education

• Tarciano Batista e Siqueira ^[1] ; José Alberto Frade Martins Parraça ^[2] ; João Paulo Brites de Sousa ^[2]
  1. [1] Universidade Federal do Amazonas

     Universidade Federal do Amazonas

     Brasil

     
  2. [2] Universidade de Évora

     Universidade de Évora

     Senhora da Saúde, Portugal

     
• Localización: Promoção e educaçã opara a saúde: Inovação paraa sustentabilida de e o bem-estar / coord. por Marcelo Coppi, Hugo Oliveira, Ana Maria Cristovão, Jorge Bonito, 2025, ISBN 978-972-778-439-4, págs. 430-442
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • The evolving nature of the physiotherapist's professional performance is a topic of ongoing reflection in the field. The use of rehabilitation technologies with artificial intelligence has become increasingly prevalent in the clinical practice of physical therapy, automating physical rehabilitation programs. Objective: The objective of this study is to identify the inclusion of new rehabilitation technologies in the training and teaching of clinical practice of physiotherapists in the Iberian Peninsula and to encourage cross-border collaboration for the development of higher education in the area of physiotherapy in Portugal and Spain. Methods: This study involves observing and analyzing qualitative data. A previous guide was developed to help direct the observation towards both the physical structure and the curricular structure of the courses. This guide was used to collect data on-site in teaching laboratories, places where clinical practices in physiotherapy are taught, and through the analysis of official documents. The script included a question with 5 items for observing technologies in the physical space and another question with 3 items for analyzing the theoretical integration of rehabilitation technologies into physiotherapy curricula. Results: There are a total of 87 Higher Education Institutions in the Iberian Peninsula that provide physiotherapy training. These institutions are currently offering 7686 places for aspiring physiotherapy students in the year 2023. Two higher education institutions have agreed to host the research on their premises. At HEI1, we discovered that there are monitors available for telerehabilitation, as well as immersive or non-immersive virtual reality equipment. During the observation of the HEI2 spaces, we discovered monitors for telerehabilitation, as well as immersive or non-immersive virtual reality equipment and motion capture sensors. During the curricular observation at HEI1, no curricular units related to the topic or any mention of the use of technologies were discovered. However, at HEI2 we offer an optional Curricular Unit focused on Digital Health practices. Conclusion: There is an urgent need to make changes to the current curricular structure and the structure of clinical practices in the training of physiotherapists. Continual advancements in biomedical technologies lead to the constant emergence of new technologies and approaches. It is crucial to stay updated, acquire knowledge, and conduct new studies in order to foster the necessary innovations in higher education within this field.