Physiotherapy

Introduction

The Egas Moniz Higher School of Health (ESSEM) Undergraduate Degree in Physical Therapy combines theoretical and theoretical-practical teaching with a strong practical component. It offers a revised syllabus that is suited to the current demands of modern physical therapy, based on national and international standards that regulate its practice.
 
The new syllabus has a set of new curricular units that enable a dynamic and scientific vision of human movement, which are determining to differentiate the physical therapist’s assessment/intervention, in an encompassing perspective, the Human Being’s different conditions (in sickness, in health and in high performance).

The hour load of the curricular units of the specific Physical Therapy area now represents 75% of the total hour load, respecting the standard of practical classes in a clinical context, fundamental to acquire Physical Therapy skills. In this way, the syllabus includes 1000 hours of practice in a clinical context, with this practice starting in the 2^nd year of the course at the Egas Moniz University Clinic, where you can be in touch with real patients. As of the 3^rd year, these classes are also taught in a hospital setting which will allow you first-hand contact with the more complex situations in the most acute units, at an early and fundamental state in their recovery. In the 4^th year you will engage in clinical acts at benchmark Health Care Units, supervised by professionals that will assure you get a solid and responsible learning process.

This learning in a clinical setting fosters and develops your reflexive practice and makes it easier for you to acquire the essential skills for your future professional practice.

Physical Therapy is a science based on studying human movement in all its means of expression and potential, from normal to pathological, with the aim of preserving, maintaining, developing and/or restoring functional integrity. Your training as a physical therapist will enable you to analyse and evaluate motion, movement and posture, and gives you the capabilities to promote health and prevent, or change, any type of deficiency or incapacity. You will make use of specific educational disciplines and therapies, thereby helping people in attaining maximum functionality and improving their quality of life.

Practicing Physical Therapy implies direct interaction with patients, from evaluation to prescription and treatment. You can work individually within a multidisciplinary team.

Physical Therapy is a prestigious occupation, with good employability levels and the reflection of this and the quality of our degree is the wide acceptance our physical therapists experience in the labour market in Portugal and abroad.

What makes us unique

• Practical teaching since the 2nd year of the course, in a total of 1000 hours of practice in a clinical context.
• Guaranteed interships since the 4th year in benchmark hospitals in the Greater Lisbon Area, clinics, at the Senior Residence Egas Moniz, among other institutions with whom we have protocols.
• Existence of our own clinic, Egas Moniz University Clinic, where an important part of the theoretical-practical classes and practices of the course will be held, together with the Physiotherapy rooms that we have properly equipped for your learning and training
• A young teaching body, qualified, updated with regard to what’s new in laboratorial developments and techniques and motivated to teach you.
• The possibility of exchanges at foreign universities, in particular through the Erasmus program.
• A top-quality University Residence on campus, with numerous amenities on offer, such as a swimming pool, which ensures your well-being and safety, as if you were in your own home.
• An excellent academic environment, that is stimulating and active and includes teachers, researchers, professionals and students alike! You will attend parties, concerts, academic nights out and other initiatives organised by the Egas Moniz Student Associations, “Tunas” Groups and choir. You will also be able to practice several sports, whether at the gym or the playing field we have on offer for you.
• The privileged location of our campus, in Almada, 15 minutes from Lisbon and Costa de Caparica, with excellent accessibility (subway, train and bus).

Career Prospects and others

Once you complete the course you will be able to perform functions in:

• Public and private healthcare institutions: hospitals; health centers; physiotherapy cabinets; rehabilitation centers; occupational health departments;
• Support centers for the elderly;
• Special education schools;
• Sports Clubs;
• Educational Institutions;
• Home support;
• Thermal spas.

Areas to which you can dedicate / specialize:

• Physiotherapy in sports;
• Physiotherapy in children;
• Physiotherapy in the elderly;
• Physiotherapy in chronic diseases;
• Physiotherapy in degenerative / incapacitating diseases.

Additionally, you can continue your studies, performing, for example, some of the postgraduate / specialization courses that we have in the different areas of Physical Therapy. You may also embark on research or teaching.

More information

• 📞 (+351) 212 946 751/52,
• 🖨 (+351) 212 946 733
• 🖥 secretaria@egasmoniz.edu.pt