Materials
Report on physiotherapy and Domestic Violence
The report describes the barriers that prevent physiotherapy providers from identifying and assisting potential domestic violence victims (whether it be lack of awareness, knowledge, skills, referral options, etc.).
Academic publication based on the survey results
After finishing working on Report on physiotherapy and Domestic Violence, project partnership saw a big potential of collected materials (survey among physiotherapists in particular) and decided to publish the findings in academic journal. European Journal of Physiotherapy published the article “Beyond bones, joints and muscles: can physiotherapists have a role in identifying and supporting domestic violence victims?” in their 2024 issue.
Training programme
The training program for physiotherapists and healthcare professionals who come across patients who may be victims of violence. Health care professionals who work with their patients one-on-one, regularly, and have good rapport with them, such as physiotherapists, are well suited for noticing signs of domestic violence in their patients.
The curriculum consists of pedagogical material based in part on the findings of the Report, especially on real life cases, to enable learners to connect to the topics effectively. The training program equips the target groups with skills to identify possible cases of abuse and provide appropriate and safe support to victims thus increasing the efficiency of physiotherapy and patient adherence.
The training programme is available in English and Estonian. Greek, Spanish, Turkish, and Russian versions are coming soon.
Versions in other languages are available here.
MOOC
Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) based on the training program will include videos with lectures and personal exercises, reading materials, quizzes and will be done in English with a possibility to add subtitles.
The MOOC is targeted for physiotherapists and healthcare professionals who come across patients who may be victims of violence. It can also be used by VET trainers who train the physiotherapists, and sections of it can be used for physiotherapy patients.
Using the MOOC in their training will improve the skills of the physiotherapists and healthcare workers to help their patients to adhere better to their treatment plans.
The MOOC was offered in English in May 2024 at the University of Tartu. Currently there is a playlist available with Estonian, Greek, Spanish, Turkish, and Russian subtitles. The playlist contains all the lectures that were featured in MOOC.
Policy recommendations on physiotherapy and Domestic Violence
The policy recommendations highlight the main gaps identified the report and propose viable solutions, based on the activities and outcomes of training programme and the MOOC. It will also include recommendations for unifying the physiotherapists’ training across EU. The policy recommendations will be addressed to health care and education policy makers in charge of regulating health care training on vocational and higher education level, and to VET training providers in charge of carrying out health care education, especially to physiotherapists, to suggest improvements in the existing training programs.
Versions in other languages are available here.
