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Axxon, Physical Therapy in Belgium

Secretariat: Imperiastraat 16
1930 Zaventem

BELGIUM 		  Tel.: +32 2 709 70 80
+32 475 36 38 91
Fax: +32 2 749 96 89
email: rolandcraps@hotmail.com
axxon@axxon.be
Web: www.axxon.be
Last update: 24.03.2014
BELGIUM Download this document (PDF) for printout


Contact person
  Treasurer - International Relations Officer   Roland Craps, International relations and Treasurer

Our office hours
  DURING THE WEEK  
mon. 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
tue. 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
wed. 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
thu. 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
fri. 9.00 am - 5.00 pm

Country information
 BELGIUM 
Population:11.008.000
Number of Physiotherapists 
- in the association: 4550
- in the country: 27.000

Headquarters
  DETAILS  
The Belgian Association Axxon, Physical Therapy in Belgium is a merged association from 2009 and does not hold membership in any trade union.
Axxon, Physical Therapy in Belgium is the national umbrella association for the 2 regional divisions: Axxon, Kwaliteit in Kinesitherapie for the Dutch speaking community members, and Axxon, Qualité en Kinésithérapie for the French speaking community members. The national headquarters are shared with the office of the French speaking community members and the headquarters of the Dutch speaking community members is at Beatrijslaan 39, 2050 Antwerp. There are 9 staff employees in total. Every branch of Axxon holds monthly executive committee meetings and has some liaisons with other health care professions and with the authorities.

Migration Information
  LINK TO DETAILED INFORMATION FOR MIGRATORS   Click here for detailed information regarding the migration procedures for Physiotherapists to: BELGIUM

Physiotherapy Education
  INFORMATION AND NUMBERS  
In Belgium, the Master-level grants access to the physiotherapy profession.

Flanders and Brussels
In the Flemish-speaking part of Belgium (Flanders and Brussels) the Master of Science in Rehabilitation sciences and physiotherapy is the entry level for the profession (5 years).
It should be noted that there are both French and Flemish authorities to consider the academic recognition of diplomas. Please find more information on the website of the professional association: http://www.axxon.be/, under international information.
  • 3 Universities and 2 Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in Flanders offer a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Rehabilitation sciences and physiotherapy of 180 ECTS and a Master of Science (MSc) in Rehabilitation sciences and physiotherapy of 120 ECTS.
  • 1 HEI offers a Bachelor in collaboration with a University. The school organizes the first 2 years of the Bachelor program. Hereafter the students can switch to the third phase of the Bachelor program in the collaborating University.
  • During the master program, a sub-specialization is chosen: musculoskeletal rehabilitation: manual therapy and/or sports physiotherapy, neurologic rehabilitation, rehabilitation of patients with internal diseases, paediatric rehabilitation, geriatric rehabilitation, rehabilitation of patients with mental health problems, educatioThe master programs are elaborated in collaboration between the universities and the higher education institutes.
  • There are no multi-professional master programs.
Wallonia and Brussels
In the French-Speaking part of Belgium (Wallonia and Brussels) the entry level for the profession is the Master level (4 years education: Bachelor 3 + Master 1).

- 8 Higher Education Institutions offer a Master in Physiotherapy with a program of 240 ECTS.

- 3 Universities offer a Master level program in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation with a program of 240 ECTS.

- Most of the Higher Education Institutes and Universities are proposing complementary education programs, with differences. It is better to consult the websites for this purpose.

- Some Higher Education Institutes offer a multidisciplinary education in Rehabilitation and Geriatrics.

- Some collaboration started between University and Higher Education Institutions.

Physiotherapists are involved in both teaching and research but there is no a recognition of physiotherapy specialism. The first step towards recognition as PT with special competences is under development. It should be noted that there are both French and Flemish authorities to consider the academic recognition of diplomas. The association does not have an own education department.

Status of profession
  TITLE AND REGULATIONS ON THE PROFESSION   Professional Title/Qualification: Kinesitherapeut(e). The title and the professional activity are protected by the law. The rules of professional conduct (code of ethics) are determined directly by the Ministry of Public Health through national legislation. Belgium requires a registration to practice by the Ministry of Public Health, witch is the national authority responsible for the physiotherapy profession in Belgium. There is no limit to the number of physiotherapists who undergo training and qualify in Belgium.

Practice of physiotherapy
  INSURANCE AND PRACTICE REGULATIONS   The profession determines the services of physiotherapy and the physiotherapists determine the clinical intervention of physiotherapy themselves.
The reimbursement for physiotherapy is covered by the National Health Care System (average 75%) and by the patient (average 25%).
Total number of physiotherapists: 27.000. Approximately 17.500 work in a nomenclature system, mostly in private practice settings.

Twinning
  The Belgian Association has no twinning programs.
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