At the Popayán campus of Fundación Universitaria María Cano, students from the Physiotherapy program carry out their community practice in coordination with the Public Social Enterprise (ESE) Popayán, playing an active role in strengthening the Basic Health Teams (EBS) in various neighborhoods of the city. This initiative is part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at promoting access to health services with a territorial, human, and preventive approach.

The work carried out by the future physiotherapists is framed within the Primary Health Care (PHC) model, prioritizing direct contact with the community and recognizing its particular needs. Through home visits, community workshops, health brigades, and promotion and prevention campaigns, the students significantly contribute to improving the population’s quality of life.

“Our goal is not only to intervene clinically but also to generate educational and participatory processes that allow people to take ownership of their health care,” explains the faculty coordinator of the practice, who highlights the importance of interdisciplinary work in the community.

Among the main tasks are identifying risk factors associated with mobility, supporting patients with chronic diseases, promoting healthy postural habits, and guiding therapeutic exercises for self-care. Additionally, students participate in the development of community diagnoses, thereby strengthening their research and social skills.

This practice not only positively impacts the communities involved but also enriches the students’ training process, as they face real scenarios of vulnerability, inequity, and cultural diversity. Through collaborative work with ESE Popayán professionals, future physiotherapists develop communication, leadership, and community management skills.

The project has also allowed the consolidation of comprehensive care networks by coordinating efforts with community leaders, health promoters, and other educational institutions. This intersectoral network strengthens the sustainability of implemented actions and enhances the continuity of support.

Through initiatives like this, Fundación Universitaria María Cano reaffirms its commitment to relevant and transformative higher education, and to building healthier and more inclusive territories where health is understood as a right, not a privilege.