# Savonia Article Pro: Advancing Physiotherapy Education Through European Collaboration: ENPHE Forum 2026 in Tartu ##### Savonia Article Pro is a collection of multidisciplinary Savonia expertise on various topics. 22.10.2026 [Articles Pro](https://www.savonia.fi/en/category/articles-pro)[Sosiaali- ja terveysala](https://www.savonia.fi/en/category/sosiaali-ja-terveysala) ## Introduction The ENPHE Forum 2026 brought together the European physiotherapy higher education community in Tartu, Estonia, from 8 to 10 October 2026. Hosted by Tartu Applied Health Sciences University, the three-day event provided a platform for educators, researchers, students, and physiotherapy professionals to exchange knowledge, discuss current developments, and strengthen international collaboration. The European Network of Physiotherapy in Higher Education (ENPHE) (n.d.) connects stakeholders in physiotherapy higher education across Europe. Its activities aim to support the alignment and further development of educational programmes while facilitating collaboration between European higher education institutions. The ENPHE Forum has a particular role in bringing academics and students together to share research findings and discuss developments in physiotherapy education and professional practice. ## Research group work – where we are now The ENPHE Research Working Group is one of the working groups contributing to research and research-informed education within the ENPHE network. During the ENPHE Autumn Forum 2026 in Tartu, the group presented an overview of its current activities, highlighting the progress achieved since the previous ENPHE meeting and outlining the current status of its ongoing research and educational initiatives (Picture 1). Picture1. Participants of the ENPHE Research Working Group at the ENPHE Forum 2026 in Tartu. The systematic literature review has progressed to an important stage, with the review successfully registered in the PROSPERO international prospective register of systematic reviews. The next phase will focus on preparing the scientific manuscript. The “More Life to Your Years” research and innovation project is a collaboration between ENPHE members, initiated by Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen in Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences in The Netherlands. The project aims to identify frailty and factors contributing to human vulnerability using a mixed methods approach of qualitative research design, as well as comprehensive questionnaires. We live in an ageing society where the average population is increasing. Understanding how people aged 60 and over perceive their physical health and what they think they should do to prevent (physical) frailty and age healthily can provide insight into the strategies to be developed to stimulate older people to live a (physically) active life. The More Life to Your Years project is currently seeking new and motivated partners interested in contributing to its further development and international collaboration. Members interested in contributing to the More life to your years project may contact Marlies Wagener. International student collaboration remains an important component of the Research Working Group’s activities. Planning is currently underway for the next Blended Intensive Programme (BIP), which is in Paris, France. The previous BIP was organised at the University of La Coruña, with excellent student engagement throughout the week-long programme. An important outcome of the BIP activities has been the integration of evidence-based physiotherapy, critical appraisal, and scientific communication. During the previous BIP week, students collaboratively produced eight blog articles, all of which were subsequently published. Across the different BIP weeks, a total of 24 blog articles have been produced and published in collaboration with students, with links available on the ENPHE Research Working Group website. The blog-writing activity has been developed as a learning approach to strengthen students’ competencies in evidence-based physiotherapy. Students use the PEDro assessment tool (n.d.) to critically appraise scientific articles and subsequently translate their appraisal into concise scientific texts in English. The activity therefore combines the development of critical appraisal skills with academic writing and the communication of research evidence. The Forum presentation also provided an update on the survey examining evidence-based physiotherapy education among educators. The study is currently in its final phase, with data collection underway among physiotherapy educators across Europe. Together with the student survey, this research will provide a comprehensive overview of how evidence-based practice is addressed in physiotherapy curricula and help identify opportunities to strengthen related competencies among both students and educators. In addition, the current development of the corresponding research questionnaire for physiotherapy students was presented. Together, these activities aim to provide a broader understanding of how evidence-based physiotherapy is addressed in education and how related competencies can be strengthened among both students and educators. Evidence-based practice (EBP) sits at the heart of modern physiotherapy education. It helps future physiotherapists bring together the best available research, their own clinical expertise, and what matters to their patients. But not every student gets the same experience: curricula, teaching styles, and chances to actually practice EBP vary, and these differences can affect how prepared and confident students feel when using evidence in clinical decisions. That’s why students’ voices matter. They can tell us how EBP is being taught, how useful and accessible it feels, and where their needs aren’t being met. By involving students directly, through discussions and by developing a questionnaire designed specifically for physiotherapy students, we can make sure their experiences genuinely shape the research. Together, we can spot what’s working, what’s missing, and how curricula might improve, which in turn supports stronger EBP skills for both students and educators. However, as we know, many students today are “surveyed out”. To get genuine, actionable feedback on how EBP is integrated into their curriculum and clinical experiences, we should design a survey that respects their time and balances scientific credibility with user experience. Before launching, we should consider at least the following things: give students a clear definition of EBP upfront, keep the survey short and mobile-friendly, mix rating scales with open-ended questions for deeper insights, distinguish between classroom and clinic experiences, and ensure student’s total anonymity. Our hope is to contribute to physiotherapy education that helps graduates think critically, keep learning throughout their careers, and deliver evidence-informed care that puts the patient first. ## Reflections and Looking Ahead The ENPHE Forum 2026 highlighted the importance of international collaboration in advancing physiotherapy education and research. Bringing together educators, researchers, and students provides valuable opportunities to share knowledge, exchange perspectives, and build new partnerships across European higher education institutions. Looking ahead, continued collaboration will be essential for strengthening research, supporting researchers’ professional development, and developing innovative approaches to physiotherapy education and practice. #### Authors Marja Äijö PhD, principal lecturer of rehabilitation and physiotherapy, Savonia University of Applied Sciences Juhani Multanen, principal lecturer, South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Savonlinna, Finland, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland. Eva Ilie Physiotherapist and Lecturer, University of Craiova, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, Department of Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, Craiova, Romania Zeltia Naia, PhD, MSc, PT, Senior lecturer and Researcher, Facultade de Fisioterapia-Faculty of Physiotherapy, Universidade da Coruña-University of A Coruña, Spain Marlies Wagener PhD, lecturer and senior-researcher Physiotherapy, Centre of knowledge “Movement towards health’, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Netherland #### References European Network of Physiotherapy in Higher Education (ENPHE) (n.d.). ENPHE official website. Retrieved October 9, 2026, from [https://www.enphe.org/en](https://www.enphe.org/en) PEDro. (n.d.). PEDro scale. PEDro – PEDro scale. In available: [https://pedro.org.au/english/resources/pedro-scale/](https://pedro.org.au/english/resources/pedro-scale/)