Balneotherapy (bath, spa) is considered as a part of conventional treatment and offered in
hospitals (113).
Physiotherapy is coordinated by the “Fédération Française des Masseurs Kinésithérapeutes Rééducateurs (F.F.M.K.R.)” There is a State Diploma course of 3 years for physiotherapy studies, but this is currently outside the academic structure, with access to postgraduate education at universities. There are developments to extend physiotherapy education to 4 years with the first year shared with medical students (119).
The professional title is Diplome d’Etat de Masseur Kinesitherapeute (119). There is a medical code of ethics and professional secrecy is determined by law. The activity of the physiotherapist is also defined by law. The Ministry of Health is the national authority responsible for the physiotherapy profession in France (119).
Physiotherapy is registered in the EU regulated professions database as follows:
Physiotherapy is a directly related regulated profession with title “Masseurkinésithérapeute” recognized under Directive 2005/36/EC (5), ID 238. General system of recognition – primary application. Qualification level: PS3 – Diploma of post-secondary level (3-4 years), Art. 11 d (7).
5. DIRECTIVE 2005/36/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications (Text with EEA relevance) (OJ L 255, 30.9.2005, p. 22) Amended up to March 2011, (2005).
7. The European Commission. Regulated professions database. Brussels: EUROPA; 2011 [cited 2012 February 10, ]; Available from: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/index.cfm?fuseaction=regProf.index.
113. Delahaye G. Email: CAM in France. Paris 2011.
119. “Fédération Française des Masseurs Kinésithérapeutes Rééducateurs (F.F.M.K.R.)” Physiotherapy in France. 2012 [cited 2012 March 7]; Available from: http://www.physioeurope.org/index.php?action=15&subaction=details&member=25&textZoom=25.
