Graduate Profile: Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a study programme from the System of Study Programmes developed by the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic as a field of knowledge (Section 50, Paragraph 1 of Act No. 131/2002 Coll.), in which a graduate of the study programme (Section 51, Paragraph 1 of Act No. 131/2002 Coll.) acquires professional competence to practice their original profession, or prepares to continue in subsequent higher education.

Content for the First Cycle (Bachelor's Level)

Definition of the Graduate's Professional Profile (1st Cycle – Bachelor’s Study)

General Characteristics of the Graduate's Professional Profile (1st Cycle):

A graduate of the 1st cycle of the physiotherapy study programme is a qualified university-educated healthcare professional with a broad professional profile. They possess a command of basic examination and treatment procedures and methods in physiatry, balneology, and medical rehabilitation. The graduate is prepared to independently perform activities requiring professional erudition, autonomy in work and decision-making, and personal responsibility in medical rehabilitation, primary, secondary, and subsequent healthcare, as well as in preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, counselling, and educational activities. They indicate, plan, and perform basic techniques, methodologies, physiotherapeutic procedures and interventions, basic physiatric and balneological methods, hydrotherapy, occupational therapy (ergotherapy), electrotherapy, and kinesiology. They are qualified to conduct pedagogical activities at the corresponding levels of education within the field.

A defining characteristic of the graduate is a profound, moral-ethical, and humane approach to people, particularly to those who are ill, physically or mentally disabled, and handicapped. This approach is rooted in understanding, empathy, love for humanity, and an earnest desire to help. The graduate is capable of accepting the patient in the most challenging life situations, respecting their right to individualized care and their active participation in it, including decision-making. They ensure the patient's privacy, understand their needs, help resolve their health problems, and show them respect, empathy, comfort, and emotional support. They take into account the patient's personality, their perception of health, illness, or handicap, and their inner experiences and behavior under the influence of changes in their health status, thereby gaining and motivating them for cooperation.

Graduates find employment in hospitals and outpatient clinics, spa treatment facilities, specialized therapeutic and rehabilitation institutes, and other facilities providing preventive and curative healthcare or health protection and promotion. The graduate possesses the prerequisites for further university, specialized, and continuous education.

To perform these activities with high qualification, the graduate must possess a broad professional profile built upon the necessary foundational education, be highly adaptable within related disciplines, think logically, and be capable of applying acquired knowledge and skills to problem-solving. They must be able to work both independently and as part of a team, engage in lifelong learning, maintain a permanent interest in the development of their field by studying professional literature, possess vital manual skills, and act purposefully, thoughtfully, and decisively in full accordance with legal and ethical standards.

Content for the Second Cycle (Master's Level)

Definition of the Graduate's Professional Profile (2nd Cycle – Master’s Study)

General Characteristics of the Graduate's Professional Profile (2nd Cycle):

A graduate of the 2nd cycle of the physiotherapy study programme is a qualified university-educated healthcare professional with a broad professional profile. They possess a command of examination and treatment procedures and methods in physiatry, balneology, and medical rehabilitation. They are prepared to independently perform activities requiring professional erudition, autonomy in work and decision-making, and personal responsibility in medical rehabilitation, primary, secondary, and subsequent healthcare, as well as in preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, counselling, and educational activities. They indicate, plan, and perform highly specialized techniques, methodologies, physiotherapeutic procedures and interventions, demanding physiatric and balneological methods, hydrotherapy, occupational therapy (ergotherapy), electrotherapy, and kinesiology. They are qualified to conduct pedagogical activities at the corresponding levels of education within the field.

Furthermore, they possess the prerequisites for independent scientific research activities as well as methodical and organizational work within the discipline, creatively contributing to its development. They are capable of working creatively within a team and possess appropriate managerial skills. Graduates find employment in hospitals and outpatient clinics, spa treatment facilities, specialized therapeutic and rehabilitation institutes, and other facilities providing preventive and curative healthcare or health protection and promotion.

A defining characteristic of the graduate is a profound, moral-ethical, and humane approach to people, particularly to those who are ill, physically or mentally disabled, and handicapped. This approach is rooted in understanding, empathy, love for humanity, and an earnest desire to help. The graduate is capable of accepting the patient in the most challenging life situations, respecting their right to individualized care and their active participation in it, including decision-making. They ensure the patient's privacy, understand their needs, help resolve their health problems, and show them respect, empathy, comfort, and emotional support. They take into account the patient's personality, their perception of health, illness, or handicap, and their inner experiences and behavior under the influence of changes in their health status, thereby gaining and motivating them for cooperation. The graduate possesses the prerequisites for further specialized and continuous education.

To perform these activities with high qualification, the graduate must possess a broad professional profile built upon the necessary foundational education, be highly adaptable within related disciplines, think logically, and be capable of applying acquired knowledge and skills to problem-solving. They must be able to work both independently and as part of a team, engage in lifelong learning, maintain a permanent interest in the development of their field by studying professional literature, possess vital manual skills, and act purposefully, thoughtfully, and decisively in full accordance with legal and ethical standards.