This thesis is part of a Consulting Project for APF - Associação Portuguesa de
Fisioterapeutas. This project guides APF with recommendations to support it relieving its
financial vulnerability and expanding its operations, as their ultimate goal is to become
the Authority which regulates the physiotherapy profession in Portugal. The project
concluded that APF was efficient on cost savings. However, several recommendations
were made, focused on the revenue and operational fields. Those opportunities in the
business model were identified thanks to the collection of data, which included surveys
from current and potential members, but also secondary research and theoretical literature.
As the majority of the revenues of APF arise from member fees, conferences and learning
clinics, the research was focused on clarifying that physiotherapists could materialize
returns by joining the Association and taking advantage from the services which are
offered.
Transforming APF into a “member-centered” organization would promote its
membership, which consequently would affect positively the revenues and create
economies of scale.
“When associations host their annual meeting, it provides members a great opportunity
for face-to-face leaning, networking with their colleagues and industry partners.”
Michael Gruenberg, 2015
This study concludes with several recommendations, which will enable APF to attract
more members and increase its chances to become the National authority for the
physiotherapy profession
