Mariano Gacto is the Director of the Inter-university Degree in International Physiotherapy, from the School of New Interactive Technologies (Escola de Noves Tecnologies Interactives – ENTI-UB), and the School of Health and Sport (Escola de la salut i l’Esport – EUSES-UdG), and the Head of the Physiotherapy Department at EUSES. In the professional field, he worked for six years as a physiotherapist for the Spanish and French public health services. Academically, he has a diploma in Physiotherapy from the University of Murcia, a master’s degree In Physiotherapy and Scientific Evidence from Barcelona, and obtained a PhD in Quality Management in Health Services from the University of Murcia.
At present he is also a lecturer for the International Degree in Physiotherapy, where he teaches the subjects of Assessment in Physiotherapy and Fundamentals of Physiotherapy, two units from the first year. In the former, students learn to assess the functional state of the patients from the perspective of physiotherapy by considering their physical, psychological and social aspects. Thus they identify normal and altered structures by means of palpation as well as using specific tests for diagnosing skeletal muscle injuries.
With regard to the course subject of Fundamentals of Physiotherapy, students acquire the tools for the proper development of practical and theoretical skills within the framework of passive joint mobilisation, the theoretical bases of manipulation, passive Kinesiotherapy and, in general, the functional assessment of the patient. In short, they learn to develop basic methods and procedures for physiotherapy treatments, applying them in relevant cases.
As for applying their course subjects in the day to day work of the profession of a physiotherapist, Gacto points out that in essence they are useful for making the initial assessment of the patient; i.e. when making an initial assessment, and a revaluation after treating the different conditions or diseases. As a lecturer and director of this degree, one of the recommendations he gives his students -especially those who are beginning their studies in physiotherapy – is that they should be patient, constant and passionate about what they are studying.
Lastly, according to Mariano Gacto, the major advantages of studying the Degree in International Physiotherapy are: the acquisition of advanced language skills in English – a language whose mastery is not only a necessity in today’s society, but a core skill for understanding scientific production and the acquisition of an optimal professional level-; the acquisition of the skills pertaining to these studies, specialising in the assessment, diagnosis, design and development of physiotherapy treatments, and lastly, gaining an understanding of the latest technological advances applied to the field of health and healthcare: Health 2.0, the new technologies, I’m-health, acquiring important skills in this field.
Via this link, you can find further information about the course subjects of Assessment in Physiotherapy and Fundamentals of Physiotherapy taught by Mariano Gacto.
