Continuing professional development for physiotherapists: An organisational overview of frameworks in the European Region of World Physiotherapy

Abstract

Objectives This study aims to provide an overview of the organisation of CPD frameworks in the European Region of World Physiotherapy (ERWP) member organisations.<br /> Design and participants Descriptive study using semi-structured interviews based on survey data to explore policy experts' perspectives from 37 European countries.<br /> Results Across Europe the organization of CPD is supervised by the professional organisation, a regulatory body, a trade union or several associations in collaboration. Besides the physiotherapist, as the person with the primary responsibility, the named organisations also handle CPD data collection. The data is collected online, through a portfolio or in hard copies. In 31 countries the system focusses on input-based data collection. Only the UK and Ireland applied a robust reflective practice approach in the CPD data collection. GDPR is not fully applied in all CPD frameworks when dealing with collection and use of data. Participants reported that CPD data is mostly used to check adherence. The data is not systematically incorporated in physiotherapy policy development.<br /> Conclusion The CPD frameworks structure should foster data collection that is useful for health system improvement. Stockpiling data without relevance to the quality of care is inefficient and adds to the waste of vast amounts of energy in storage and human resources. Physiotherapy stakeholders should collaboratively consider systemising relevant CPD data collection to substantiate policy development advancing the profession.<br /> Contribution of the paper<br /> The importance of CPD is recognized for health professionals in patient-centered care, professional competency development and evi-dence-based care.<br /> This study provides a first overview of the CPD frameworks for physiotherapists in the Europe Region of World Physiotherapy high-lighting key organizational components.<br /> Physiotherapy stakeholders should collaboratively consider systemising relevant CPD data collection to substantiate policy development advancing the profession.<br /> 2026 Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining. Al training, and similar technologies.