Direct access to physiotherapists: understanding and participating in the experiment
Direct access to physiotherapists: how it works, which CPTS territories are concerned, and how to participate in the official experiment.
What is direct access to physiotherapists?
Direct access to physiotherapists is an innovative experiment launched on June 8, 2025. It allows patients to consult a physiotherapist directly without a prior medical prescription. In other words, there's no longer any need to go through a doctor to receive physiotherapy care in the areas concerned.
This measure follows the law for improving access to care through trust in health professionals, published on May 20, 2023, then implemented through a decree published in June 2024 and an order dated June 8, 2025. The experiment will last five years in the selected territories.
A pilot test had already been conducted in mid-2023 in multidisciplinary health centers, with approximately 300,000 consultations carried out without notable incident.
https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000047561956
Why introduce direct access to physiotherapists?
Addressing medical deserts
In many regions, access to a general practitioner is difficult. Allowing patients to go directly to a physiotherapist:
- relieves pressure on medical practices,
- facilitates access to care,
- accelerates the management of musculoskeletal pain.
Enhancing the physiotherapy profession
Physiotherapists don't just provide care: they are trained to:
- identify physiotherapeutic diagnoses,
- spot signs that require medical attention,
- refer the patient to the right health professional if necessary.
Direct access therefore strengthens their diagnostic and decision-making role.
Improving the care pathway
With simplified access:
- patients receive faster care for common issues (e.g., low back pain, tendinopathies),
- physiotherapists can refer to a doctor, specialist, or for additional examinations when necessary.
Who is concerned by direct access?
Direct access is reserved for certain territories as part of the experiment. It concerns:
Eligible CPTS
The Territorial Professional Health Communities (CPTS) located in the following departments:
Aude, Deux-Sèvres, Côtes d’Armor, Gers, Haute-Corse, Haut-Rhin, Isère, Loiret
Martinique, Mayotte, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Nord, Réunion, Rhône
Seine-Maritime, Tarn, Var, Vendée, Yonne, Yvelines
Targeted physiotherapists
Approximately 1,000 to 1,500 liberal physiotherapists practicing within the CPTS of the selected areas can participate in the experiment.
How to apply to participate in direct access?
If you are a physiotherapist in an eligible CPTS, you must:
Submit an online application before the deadline, via the dedicated platform.
Provide the required information about your practice, your CPTS, and your commitment to the scheme.
To apply for direct access in a CPTS, go to the official platform dedicated to digital procedures: https://demarche.numerique.gouv.fr/commencer/acces-direct-en-cpts
Tips for success in direct access
To optimize your participation and ensure safe and quality support:
Use the Shared Medical Record (DMP)
The DMP allows all patient records to be accessible and shared among professionals for effective coordination.
Stay informed of regulatory advancements
The experiment is evolving: follow official updates, recommendations, and good practice indicators.
Employ decision-making support tools
Digital solutions can help you to:
organize and secure patient data,
conduct clinical research,
write physiotherapy reports,
refer to the right care when necessary.
Example of a useful tool: management and decision-support software that stores patient documents on HDS servers in France, facilitates research, writes reports, and helps you choose the best therapeutic orientation.
In this context, solutions like Markus Santé are perfectly suited to direct access, by assisting physiotherapists in centralizing patient data, clinical decision support, and securely writing reports.
Markus has, moreover, developed a clinical decision-support module dedicated to direct access, co-built with the FFMKR: red and yellow flag screening, anamnesis questions, orthopedic tests, and referral decision support.
Expected benefits of direct access
Improved access to care for patients, particularly in rural or underserved areas.
Strengthened role of physiotherapists in the healthcare pathway.
Reduced burden on general practitioners.
Better interprofessional coordination.
Conclusion
Direct access to physiotherapists marks a major step in the organization of care in France. By facilitating access to physiotherapists for common reasons, this scheme aims to: streamline the care pathway, enhance the physiotherapy profession, and strengthen coordination among health professionals.
If you practice in an eligible CPTS, do not hesitate to submit your application to participate before the deadline to be an actor in this new patient-centered care pathway.
