Last Friday was the international day of physiotherapists and the Luxembourgish association of physiotherapists think more could be done to ensure a appropriate treatment of the profession.

Luxembourg has around 1,800 physiotherapists and to represent them here and abroad they have their own association, the ALK (Association Luxembourgeoise des Kinésithérapeutes).

The sector does not suffer from personnel shortages. Their main issue is that there is a lack of a uniform degree, as the expectations can vary from one European country to another.

Carmen Glod, in charge of international relations at the Luxembourg association for physiotherapists. She explains that they tried to uniforme the degree on a European level in 1992 but it never came to fruition.

"We are working on creating a team to reach this goal of uniformisation, but it does not seem like the issue will be solved soon."

Another issue they have is that the standardised list of acts and services that are reimbursed by the national healthcare system can only be somewhat applied to the profession.

While the list was recently updated and includes all of the major treatments, it does not specify the technique that ought to be applied. This is something only a therapist can decide.

Physiotherapists are found in hospitals, retirement homes and independent cabinets. But oftentimes, when it comes to important decisions, they are forgotten about.

Carmen wishes for more of a collaboration between the physicians and the health and education ministries. She feels like oftentimes they don’t ask for the opinions of the people who work in the profession.

You can find more information on these issues on the association's website.

Listen to the interview with Carmen Glod in Luxembourgish:

Kinesitherapeuten zu Lëtzebuerg: Fuerderung no engem eenheetlechen Niveau