International Federation of Societies for Hand Therapy

Welcome to the International Federation of Societies for Hand Therapy (IFSHT) website, an informational site about IFSHT and our hand therapy society and commercial members. IFSHT has 55 member countries and represents about 10,000 therapists worldwide.

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International Federation of Societies for Hand Therapy

IFSHT’s Mission is “to provide global networking and educational opportunities to develop and enhance the practice of hand therapy”

IFSHT-IFSSH Congress 2025

Join hand surgeons and hand therapists from around the globe at the triennial congress in Washington from 24th to 28th March 2025.

We, the IFSHT, are seeking applications for the IFSHT Appointed Co-Chair of the Scientific Program Committee for this meeting. Please click below to navigate to information on the job description, selection process, and timeline. We welcome your application!

IFSHT Congress Washington 2025

Liaise and Connect - Volunteer

Are you interested in volunteering your skills as a hand therapist? Or getting involved in other ways? The following initiatives are listed on the IFSHT website here. Hand in Hand with Ukraine (HIHWU), Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO) and Interplast (based in Australia and New-Zeeland). Follow the link to learn more.

Volunteer

What is Hand Therapy?

Therapists working in the field of hand therapy have extensive knowledge about treatment of the hand and upper extremity.

The education committee of IFSHT developed an International Hand Therapy Clinical Practice profile in 2010. This document is intended to be a reference document that provides an overview of the ‘Practice of Hand Therapy’ from an international perspective outlining:

  • The advanced knowledge
  • Clinical practice skills
  • Core competencies
  • Types of upper extremity problems / dysfunction that relate to specialised hand therapy clinical practice.
IFSHT Hand Therapy Practise Profile

How to Become a Hand Therapist

The process to become a hand therapist differs around the world. Currently, recognition as a qualified Hand Therapist takes place on a national level. There are no plans at this time for an international qualification of hand therapists. In the 2014 IFSHT membership survey, 13 countries indicated that they have a qualification process in place for Hand Therapists. Three paths for hand therapist qualification were identified. All hand therapists have an initial qualification in occupational therapy or physiotherapy.

More Information

Trying to find a Hand Therapist?

Search For Your Country

Our Members Societies

Our Memberships are not limited to independent hand therapy organisations, but are also available to hand therapists’ groups who are organised under the umbrella of a National Physical Therapy, National Occupational Therapy, or National Hand Surgeons’ organisation. Hand Therapy groups organised as a sub-group of a national society are eligible to apply for full membership of IFSHT on the condition that there is no established independent hand therapist member society in their country.

View all members

Publications & Updates

IFSHT has developed a new newsletter called REACH and this is published four times each year.  It will be a combination of news, clinical information, updates on member countries and research around the world.  IFSHT contributes an article to EZINE, the magazine of IFSSH each time and links to this excellent publication can also be found in the publications section.

All Publications

Events

There are many educational opportunities available for hand therapists. This website has a separate section relating to the Triennial Congress. Forthcoming National Conferences or conferences run by Regional Organisations are listed and all therapists are welcomed. Some countries run longer courses which result in some type of nationally recognised qualification. These are listed under Post-Graduate Programmes.

Please remember to register your National events for inclusion on this website.

Congress
13th IFSHT Congress 2025 Washington

We can’t wait to welcome you to Washington, D.C. for the 2025 IFSSH and IFSHT Triennial Congress. Hosted by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, American Society of Hand Therapists, and American Association for Hand Surgery, the meeting will take place in the capital of the United States of America. Washington, D.C. is one of the most popular cities to visit in the U.S. and is conveniently located along the east coast, a short distance away from major U.S. cities like New York and Philadelphia. Our expert faculty and meeting planners will welcome you to a conference you won’t forget. Mark your calendars, and we’ll see you in 2025!

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About Us

The International Federation of Societies for Hand Therapy (IFSHT) was founded in 1989 and represents over 10,000 therapists around the world. Both physical and occupational therapists may specialise in treating the hand and upper extremity. IFSHT connects therapists that have specialised in treatment of the upper extremity to one another. Currently 55 countries and their national Hand Therapy organisations and membership are represented within IFSHT.  All members of member country organisations are automatically members of IFSHT.

IFSHT’s Mission is “to provide global networking and educational opportunities to develop and enhance the practice of hand therapy”

Learn More