European Federation of Societies for Hand Therapy (EFSHT)

The European Federation of Societies for Hand Therapy is a non profit organisation representing over 4200 therapists all over Europe. The federation was founded in 1989 in Paris for unlimited time.

The overall purposes of the EFSHT are:
• To increase the interest in and exchange of knowledge about Hand Therapy as such.
• To coordinate activities among the European Societies to promote the exchange and development of knowledge.
• To share scientific experience and research with collegues, and also with Hand Surgeons and allied professionals dealing with hand patients.
• To expand the practice of Hand Therapy so that an increasing number of patients with hand injuries may receive hand rehabilitation. Objectives:
The main aims of the Federation are: co-ordinating the activities of the various European Societies for Hand Therapy and increasing and enhancing the exchange of knowledge of Hand Therapy.

These aims are achieved by the following objectives:
• To co-ordinate activities by maintaining a liaison with the various societies;
• To promote the unrestricted and complete exchange of knowledge among the participating members of the Federation;
• To exchange knowledge through publications and scientific meetings;
• To facilitate and extend study possibilities in and among the various countries with a member society;
• To standardise education in common agreement with the education institutes for Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy leading to a European diploma specialising in rehabilitation of the hand;
• To promote co-operation between Hand therapists and Hand surgeons or other specialists who have a major interest in the anatomy and function of the hand;
• To develop goals of mutual interest between the European Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand and the Federation