Croatia
Original Editor - Didzis Rozenbergs
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General information[edit | edit source]
The Republic of Croatia is located in southeastern Europe, with a long coastline on the Adriatic Sea to the south, and borders with Slovenia and Hungary to the north, and Yugoslavia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to the east.Croatia's population has been gradually decreasing since its 1990 figure of 4,508,347 and, according to CIA World Factbook statistics, in July 2000 the figure stood at 4,282,216. However, the year 2000 saw a slight increase, with the birth rate, at 12.82 per 1,000, higher than the death rate (11.51 per 1,000). Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title
Patient Access to Physiotherapy or Physical Therapy Services / Entry Point[edit | edit source]
How do members of this country access Physical Therapy services?
What is the entry point or typical path the patient must follow in order to receive services?
Do PT's have direct access or are they part of a primary care team?
Physiotherapy services in the Croatia are determined by the profession. The physiotherapist has clinical autonomy.
The Croatia offers both public and private physiotherapy services. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title
Therapist Preparation[edit | edit source]
Degree/Credentialing[edit | edit source]
What is the education process to become a Physiotherapist or Physical Therapist in this country?
Professional Title/ Qualification: Bachelor Physioterapists(Baccalureus Fizioterapeut).
There are 4 physiotherapy schools in the country with about 220 students per year and the number is rising. Studies take 3 years (min. 2.700 hrs) Studies result in an academic degree, and allow for postgraduate courses. Physiotherapists are involved in both teaching and research. Schools training goes on for 3 years.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title
Specialization[edit | edit source]
- Do clinicians specialise in certain areas of care and if so how?
Professional Associations[edit | edit source]
What are the professional associations associated with Physiotherapy or Physial Therapy in this country?
The Croatian Council of Physiotherapists is is both a professional body and regulatory body and has its own headquarter and has four staff employers and managing director. The organisation holds regular Executive Committeee meetings (one per month) and furthers liasions with other health care professions and authorities.
The title and the professional activity are protected by the law. The rules of professional conduct (code of ethics) are determined directly by Croatian Council for Physiotherapists. Croatia requires a registration to practice by the Croatian Council for Physiotherapists.
The physiotherapist must be registered with the Croatian Council of Physiotherapists and obtain a licence to practice. The national authority responsible for the physiotherapy profession in Croatia is the Croatian Council for Physiotherapists. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title
Information about the Patient Community[edit | edit source]
- What is the population these PT’s serve?
- What are the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the population served?
Social/Cultural Influences[edit | edit source]
- What is the influence of the family on a patient's health status?
- What are the typical patient's living conditions, family dynamics, and cultural back ground?
Delivery of Care[edit | edit source]
- Is delivery of care provided in a timely manner?
- Special methods? Home health etc
Type of Health System[edit | edit source]
- Is it a national health system with universal access?
Payment System[edit | edit source]
What methods to patient use to pay for service? (Insurance, bartering etc.)
The insurance cover for physiotherapy is paid both through the national health care system and privately the patient.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title
Resources[edit | edit source]
WCPT Country Profile for Croatia
Croatian Association of Physiotherapists
