Review of the relevance of university education in physical therapy and sports in Mexico

Abstract

In Mexico a great number of people’s disabilities and injuries are inadequately treated or followed up on due to the lack of dissemination of programs, projects, and patient care alternatives to continue treatment and recovery through physical rehabilitation. Physical and sports therapy university programs are aimed at improving functional physical recovery processes by supporting adherence to recreational or competitive sports practices. This paper presents a narrative review of the relevance of university education in physical and sports therapy in Mexico with an emphasis on the career field and the socioeconomic approach. Reports on three constructs (social relevance, educational offer, and socioeconomic relevance) are critically analyzed. An insufficient educational offer is identified, as well as a very wide career field ranging from health institutions to independent jobs, resulting in low unemployment rates reported in graduates. The monthly salary of physiotherapy professionals is higher than the national average. Given the national conditions regarding professional training, university education in physical and sports therapy represents an ​​opportunity for educational institutions in the country and a profitable option for those interested in venturing in this field.