Program Overview

Introduction to the Blended Intensive Programme

The Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) is a unique educational experience that combines a short, physical mobility abroad with a mandatory virtual component. This innovative programme promotes online learning exchange and teamwork, offering a distinctive learning experience in collaboration with students and lecturers from various European higher education institutions.

Participating Institutions

The BIP is a collaborative effort between several European institutions, including:

• Alcoitão School of Health Sciences (Portugal)
• Blanquerna - Universitat Ramon Llull (Spain)
• University of Deusto (Spain)
• Saxion University of Applied Sciences (the Netherlands)
• Utrecht University of Applied Sciences (the Netherlands)
• University of Antwerp (Belgium)

Programme Aim and Objectives

The primary aim of this course is to increase participants' awareness and knowledge in Respiratory Physiotherapy. The programme is designed to capacitate participants to incorporate evidence-based methodologies and strategies for an integrated therapeutic patient approach, focusing on chronic respiratory patients from the acute phase to long-term care.

Programme Format

The BIP consists of two main phases:

Online Track

The first phase includes three online sessions facilitated by one of the partner institutions. These sessions introduce core concepts in Respiratory Physiotherapy, with a particular focus on COPD care pathways. The online track aims to build a foundation for understanding diverse perspectives on therapeutic approaches across various clinical and care contexts.

Live Week in Antwerp

The second phase is an interactive one-week course held in Antwerp, where expert teachers from across Europe delve deeper into respiratory physiotherapy. Each day is dedicated to key topics in COPD care management, including:

• Acute intervention strategies
• Long-term treatment approaches
• Integrated care models
• Patient self-management support

Students are organized into multinational groups to collaboratively develop proposals addressing practical challenges in COPD patient care discussed during the course. This phase emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and practical problem-solving, enabling students to apply theoretical knowledge of Respiratory Physiotherapy to relevant, real-world clinical scenarios.

Programme Activities

The programme includes:

• Theoretical group sessions on cardiorespiratory physiotherapy
• Practical workshops with hands-on learning
• Sports and cultural activities to promote intercultural exchange and team spirit

Eligibility and Participation

Students in rehabilitation sciences and physiotherapy from all six partner universities can participate in this BIP. For students of the bridging programme of the University of Antwerp, participation in this BIP will count as an alternative fulfillment of the course 'Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy' (3 ECTS). Interested students from partner institutions in Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands should be nominated before a specified deadline. The programme aims for a group of 20 to 30 participants.

Evaluation

At the end of the week, there is a group assignment with a presentation and oral defense. An international jury evaluates the assignment, presentation, and oral defense. All students receive a Transcript of Records from the University of Antwerp indicating their grade.