National Quality Improvement Programme for Outpatient Physiotherapy
A national programme is strengthening quality in outpatient physiotherapy: together with partners, BFH develops evidence-based indicators and a learning system to improve patient outcomes and ensure sustainable care.
Factsheet
- Schools involved School of Health Professions
- Institute(s) Physiotherapy
- Research unit(s) Public Health und physiotherapiebezogene Gesundheitsökonomie
- Funding organisation Others
- Duration (planned) 01.04.2026 - 31.12.2028
- Head of project Prof. Dr. Nathanael Lutz
- Project staff Dr. Marina Paula Bruderer
- Partner Physioswiss
- Keywords Quality development, outpatient physiotherapy, patient safety, outcome indicators, evidence-based care, learning system, Swiss healthcare system, implementation research, monitoring, interinstitutiona
Situation
Outpatient physiotherapy in Switzerland already makes a significant contribution to high-quality healthcare provision. However, there is a need to further develop the quality of care in a systematic, measurable, and sustainable way. Against this background, the Swiss Physiotherapy Association (Physioswiss), commissioned by the Federal Quality Commission (FQC), has launched a national quality development programme. The programme aims to strengthen patient safety, effectiveness, and the long-term sustainability of physiotherapy services, while firmly positioning the profession within the healthcare system. The programme, designed for a duration of approximately ten years, seeks to establish an evidence- and data-based learning system for continuous quality improvement. In this system, quality is not only made visible but is actively and systematically enhanced. Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH) participates as a partner within a network of universities of applied sciences offering physiotherapy programmes, contributing its expertise in applied research and practice integration. Together with other academic and practice-oriented stakeholders, the project aims to achieve broadly supported and nationally anchored quality development.
Course of action
The project follows a multi-stage, participatory approach. It begins with a systematic context analysis to identify existing initiatives and approaches to quality development in outpatient physiotherapy. Based on these findings, areas of care with significant need for improvement are identified and prioritised. In close collaboration between Physioswiss, scientific partners (including ZHAW/WIG and the University of Bern/SwissRDL), other universities of applied sciences, and practice stakeholders, evidence-based quality indicators and measures are developed. These are aligned along the patient pathway and are designed to be practical, compatible with existing processes, and easily integrated into routine care. The overall goal is to establish a quality development and monitoring system that supports continuous improvement. BFH contributes in particular to the scientific foundation and practice-oriented development of the measures. At the end of the programme, a comprehensive impact evaluation is planned, based on patient-relevant outcome indicators to assess the improvements achieved.
Result
The project is expected to produce practice-oriented, scientifically grounded quality indicators as well as an implementable quality development system for outpatient physiotherapy. This system will enable the systematic measurement, comparison, and targeted improvement of care quality. In the long term, a nationally coordinated monitoring system for healthcare quality will be established. The developed indicators can be integrated into the Federal Quality Commission’s national quality platform after the project’s completion. In this way, the project will make a substantial contribution to the further development of an efficient, high-quality, and patient-centred healthcare system.
Looking ahead
After completion of the programme, the aim is to sustainably embed the developed quality indicators and the monitoring system within the Swiss healthcare system. Integration into national platforms will enable the long-term observation and management of care quality. The established learning system will provide the foundation for continuous, data-driven quality improvement beyond the project duration. Physiotherapy practices will benefit from lasting added value through improved treatment quality, increased transparency, and a stronger focus on patient-relevant outcomes. The involvement of BFH and other universities of applied sciences further fosters a close link between research, education, and practice. This strengthens knowledge transfer, supports the development of future professionals, and reinforces the role of physiotherapy within the healthcare system in the long term.
