This work was developed within the discipline Manual Therapy Resources. It consisted in designing, applying, and assessing the efficacy of a program of massotherapy training with a focus on therapist-patient relationship, also stressing therapist self care. By drawing on literature and on the observation of 120 massotherapy sessions, 21 professional abilities were defined and organised into a training program. Ten experts validated the abilities operating definition. The program was then applied to a class of 25 undergraduates, whose performance at the end of the program was assessed, in a practical test, as adequate, partially adequate, inadequate or not undertaken. Written final reports by students were also analysed. Twelve out of the 21 trained abilities were found to be adequately performed by all students; four abilities were partially adequately carried out by five students. There was no case of inadequate performance. The analysis of the written reports showed that 19 out of the 25 students approved of the training program, found relevant and necessary. The self-care training was pointed out as relevant for professional development and appropriate to the teaching context by 10 students. The program proved thus efficient in enabling students to perform with adequate therapist-patient relationship, being also well accepted by students.
Education, professional; Massage; Professional-patient relations; Teaching