ENPHE GROUPS

Artificial Intelligence in Physiotherapy Education

Aim

We started as the Working Group on Emergent Topics in Physiotherapy that exists to explore themes that may shape the future of physiotherapy education and practice. The group offers a forum for members to discuss, co‑create and implement new ideas.

In 2023, the group set its sights on artificial intelligence (AI) and the influence of generative AI on physiotherapy education and research, harnessing the network’s collective expertise to adapt to an ever‑changing landscape. By staying curious and collaborative, we aim to ensure that students and educators remain at the cutting edge of innovation.

 

Work in Progress

After completing our initial AI initiatives—programme proposal, network survey and AI Toolkit—we are entering a new phase of development. Current priorities include:

  • Second pre‑Forum AI workshop (Forum 2025) – Following the success of the Warsaw 2024 course, the group is designing a hands‑on session for the ENPHE Forum 2025 in Luxembourg. This workshop will deepen participants’ understanding of AI capabilities, ethical considerations and practical applications in education and research.
  • Supporting the growth of the AI Working Group – As AI matures into its own discipline within ENPHE, the AI initiative will evolve into a separate AI in Physiotherapy Education Working Group. This transition will ensure sustained focus and development while allowing the Emergent Topics WG to take on new themes.
  • Exploring new emergent topics – While AI remains central, the group is open to proposals for other emerging issues that may transform physiotherapy education. Suggestions from across the ENPHE network will guide the choice of new topics.

 

Developments

2023 – Launch and Momentum

  • Bergen Seminar (March 2023) – The working group debuted at the ENPHE Spring Seminar, inviting participants to reflect on AI’s impact on physiotherapy education and research. Vigorous discussions, SWOT analyses and collaborative breakout sessions laid the groundwork for our programme proposal, network survey and AI Toolkit.
  • Prague Forum (October 2023) – We brought the conversation to the wider ENPHE community. Michael Rowe’s keynote, “With Great Power Comes Great Ambiguity,” and the working group workshop on Generative AI underscored both the promise and complexity of AI.

 

2024 – Expansion and Engagement

  • A Coruña Seminar (April 2024) – Under the theme “Physiotherapy education: aiming at excellence through collaboration” educators and students gathered for three days of activities. Working‑group sessions  titled “Emergent Topics in Education: AI” allowed participants to refine and expand the AI Toolkit, develop real‑world use cases and launch the educator survey. Plans were also made for a parallel student survey.
  • First Blended Intensive Program (BIP) for Teachers (May 2024) – Our inaugural Erasmus+‑funded programme, organised in partnership with six European universities, combined online and in‑person sessions. More than twenty teachers and researchers from eight countries explored AI applications in education and research, fostering collaboration and co‑creation.
  • Warsaw Pre‑Forum Course (September 2024) – At the ENPHE Forum in Warsaw, the group offered its first pre‑forum course, “Artificial Intelligence in Physiotherapy Education and Research: An Exploratory Approach.” This full‑day session demystified AI technologies, showcased applications in teaching and research and invited participants to experiment with tools in a safe environment. The student survey was disseminated during the conference.

 

2025 – Consolidation and Forward Momentum

  • First Blended Intensive Program (BIP) for Students  (February 2025) – The first BIP tailored for students took place in Portugal. Through virtual and in‑person activities, students learned how to apply AI tools for learning support, data analysis and clinical decision‑making, and collaborated on projects with peers from multiple institutions.
  • Breda Seminar (April 2025) – More than 160 participants gathered at Avans University to explore “The Future of Physiotherapy Education: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities.” Within the Emergent Topics sessions, the group tested AI workflows for curriculum integration, shared preliminary survey findings and discussed future directions for the working group. Organisers announced that survey results would be presented at an upcoming World Physiotherapy conference and confirmed the second edition of the Teachers’ BIP.
  • Second Teachers’ BIP (July 2025) – Hosted by Palacký University Olomouc, the second edition of the international BIP “Artificial Intelligence in Education and Research” blended online meetings with in‑person workshops. Topics covered generative AI, creation of visual content, curriculum integration and ethical considerations. International participants from nine universities across seven countries joined, praising the mix of professional sessions, practical demonstrations and cultural activities.
  • Luxembourg Forum Pre‑Conference AI Workshop (September 2025) – Building on lessons learned from previous workshops, the second pre‑conference session will deepen participants’ understanding of AI’s relevance and applications in physiotherapy education and research.

 

Outputs and Resources

  • AI Toolkit – A living resource that aggregates guidelines, tools and ethical considerations for integrating AI into education and research. This online toolkit is regularly updated with new materials.
  • Educator and Student Surveys – Comprehensive surveys designed to capture knowledge, usage patterns, attitudes and concerns about AI among educators and students. Results will inform future projects and will be presented at upcoming seminars and conferences.
  • Conference and Seminar Materials – Slides from keynotes and workshops, including Michael Rowe’s keynote and the Generative AI workshop, as well as the 2024 pre‑conference course in Warsaw and future sessions.
  • Blended Intensive Programme Materials – Learning modules, case studies and practical resources developed through the teachers’ and students’ BIPs.

 

Facilitators

Our activities are guided by committed facilitators who ensure inclusive dialogue and actionable outcomes: António Alves Lopes, Jeroen Alessie and Pedro Chana Valero.

 

Looking Forward

  • Evolution of the AI WG – As AI becomes an established discipline within ENPHE, a dedicated AI in Physiotherapy Education Working Group will foster sustained development, while the Emergent Topics WG embraces new challenges.
  • AI Workflows and Best Practices – We will continue refining AI workflows through seminars, BIPs and collaborative projects, equipping educators and students with practical tools and strategies.
  • Ongoing Collaboration – Partnerships forged through seminars and BIPs will underpin continued innovation, and survey results will be used to inform future initiatives.
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