Physiotherapy in Occupational Health as a Profession

According to the Occupational Health Care Act (Occupational Health Care Act 1383/2001), a physiotherapist in occupational health is an expert who is both qualified as a physiotherapist and has sufficient knowledge of occupational health care. In practice, the education of a physiotherapist in occupational health includes a degree in physiotherapy as well as further education at a university of applied sciences or at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. The expertise of a physiotherapist in occupational health includes ergonomics and measures directed at both individuals and groups. Physiotherapists in occupational health strive to promote an employee’s physical work ability and functioning in the employee’s own work environment. Physiotherapists in occupational health also participate in the design of new work premises and equipment. Physiotherapists in occupational health provide guidance with musculoskeletal problems, measure and assess physical functional capacity, and participate in multidisciplinary occupational health care activities and in various rehabilitation processes, among other things.