Micro-credential in Physiotherapy in Humanitarian Emergencies, Disasters, and Catastrophes

The integration of rehabilitation into emergency responses has become an international priority, driven by World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and the experiences of verified teams from the Emergency Medical Team (EMT) system. Physical therapists have become essential in clinical interventions in disasters, conflicts, and humanitarian crises, contributing to the reduction of complications, improvement of functionality, and continuity of care after the acute surgical or medical phase. The creation of the first Rehabilitation Specialist Cell, verified by the WHO, demonstrated that the structured presence of physical therapists increases the quality of humanitarian response, improves clinical outcomes, and allows for coordination of interventions with surgical, orthopedic, and mental health teams. This international movement reinforces the need for specific training that prepares future professionals for highly complex, unpredictable, and technically demanding contexts.

Students in the 4th year of the degree course in Physiotherapy of the Coimbra Health School (ESTeSC-IPC), as well as holders of the degree in Physiotherapy who are students of the Master’s course taught by ESTeSC-IPC, can apply for this Micro-credential.

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