This means access to physiotherapeutic services for patients with no requirement of the previous, medical consultation and arrangement if the physiotherapist has completed a corresponding further training.
Bid of the hour: more efficiency
“In view of the enormous challenges for the Austrian health system, initiatives for more efficiency and the cost -consenting use of resources are the requirement of the hour: direct access to physiotherapy and the connection of physiotherapy to ELGA are such suggestions with essential advantages for the patients and the interdisciplinary exchange,” emphasizes Constance SchleglPresident of Physio Austria, “the possibility of establishing technical specialization that has been anchored in the occupational law since 2024 offers a wonderful way to implement direct access to physiotherapy in Austria.”
As part of acute medical treatment, a medical order is currently a mandatory prerequisite for using physiotherapy. As a result, doctors occupy a gatekeeper function and control access to physiotherapy services in the health system. This means that access to physiotherapy depends significantly and exclusively on the medical decision. This has an impact on the timely start of physiotherapy. As a result, resources are bound and patients or their belonging and associated with additional bureaucracy are burdened. In the event of corresponding references to symptoms that require further medical clarification, physiotherapists must already refer to the doctor in current therapies to the doctor.
“In view of these facts, professional opportunities should finally be brought to life,” emphasizes Silvia RosoliDepartment management of the Chamber of Labor, “with specializations of at least 60 ECTS and master’s programs, corresponding competencies to the self -responsible exercise of these activities without prior medical order or assignment in the field. This ensures the attractiveness of these important professions and enables appropriate careers.”
Advantages for patients – relief for the health system
Direct access to physiotherapy has been established in several countries such as Great Britain, Sweden or the Netherlands for decades. International studies show that this brings numerous advantages for both patients and the health system: direct access shortens long waiting times, increases the patient satisfaction and improves interdisciplinary communication between doctors and health professions with the same patient. In addition, direct access leads to fewer sick leave, shortage and can be a strong impulse for more prevention, which contributes to lower health costs.
Constructs dialogue
The optimal care of the patients in Austria must be secured. “Our goal as the Federal Association of Self -Help Austria (BVSHOE) is to find solutions in the sense of the patient. Therefore, we repeat our call to a” round table “where solutions are developed together,” says Angelika WidhalmPresident of the Federal Association of Self -Help Austria, “we consider it urgently needed that the decisive actors in the healthcare system sit down at a table in order to discuss constructive suggestions in particular the connection of all health professions to ELGA, which we have been demanding for a long time, and also, for example, to discuss that from Physio Austria, at eye level, with mutual respect and responsibility and factual. The willingness to focus on patients so that their optimal care in Austria will be secured in the future. ”
The actress and cabaret artist Andrea dealer confirms the demand from Physio Austria: “With my experiences and trust in physiotherapy, I would like to be able to go without any additional hurdles and to decide when I would like to use it as a mature person. With the connection of physiotherapy to the electronic data exchange (ELGA), the plastic sack on the way to therapy would also be left out. on this press conference does not have the connection to Elga for the third largest professional group in healthcare – physiotherapy – so far. ”
The fact is: Several studies show that direct access significantly reduces the number of general practitioner consultations, especially in the case of musculoskeletal symptoms, and thus contributes significantly to the relief of doctors. The fact is also: Direct access leads to a reduction in the use of imaging methods and the use of medication and thus causes a reduction in costs in the system.