Cardiorespiratory and Critical Care Physiotherapy

Master
1st level vocational master
A.Y. 2025/2026
Study area
Medicine and Healthcare
1st level vocational master
60
ECTS
1
Year
Language
Italian
Master Coordinator
The Vocational Master in Cardiorespiratory and critical care physiotherapy aims to provide students with skills in the field of prevention, evaluation and physiotherapy treatment of acute and chronic cardio-respiratory dysfunctions, which enable professionals to integrate treatment strategies in the different intervention methods into the physiotherapy path and to support other area specialists.

The master's educational program aims to develop innovative therapeutic education strategies, regarding the use of devices essential for maintaining vital functions. The program also includes studies on the management of innovative organizational models and research and training projects in this field, in accordance with current trends and perspectives of the international scientific world.

The Vocational Master in Cardiorespiratory and critical care physiotherapy will be activated in the academic year 2025/2026 and will consist of 343 hours (38 CFUs) of face-to-face teaching and 162 hours (9 CFUs) of other forms of training. The activities are completed by 250 hours (10 CFU)s of internship and a final exam consisting of a written dissertation. A total of 60 CFUs will be recognized for the entire course activities.

The teaching is structured as follows:

Cardiorespiratory anatomy and physiology
Functional and instrumental evaluation of the cardiorespiratory system
Scientific update methodology
Rehabilitation tools
Respiratory rehabilitation in chronic patients
Respiratory rehabilitation in the acute care setting
Cardiorehabilitation
Surgery
Respiratory rehabilitation in neuromuscular patients
Respiratory rehabilitation in pediatric patients
Respiratory sleep disorders

Those admitted to the course are required to pay an enrollment fee of EURO 3216.00.

The University participates in the PA 110 cum laude program of the Department of Public Administration. Discounts are available for students enrolled in the Vocational Master?s programs. More information is available at: https://www.unimi.it/en/education/postgraduate-and-continuing-education-programmes/pa-110-e-lode-training-public-administration-employees.
To be eligible for the programme, candidates must hold a degree in class L/SNT2 Health professions for rehabilitation under Ministerial Decree no. 270/2004 (Physiotherapy degree only).
The program is designed to train future professionals who will be able to act as experts in the physiotherapic treatment and rehabilitation of patients with cardiorespiratory conditions according to the different types of intervention, as well as in the functional assessment of the cardiorespiratory system and the organisation of the physical therapy program at various stages (prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, palliative care), as cardiorespiratory and critical care specialists within physiotherapy teams, or as cardiorespiratory physiotherapy and rehabilitation experts in the frame of research protocols.

Courses list

Open sessions
Courses or activities Professor(s) ECTS Total hours Language
Compulsory
Cardiorehabilitation 4 35 Italian
Cardiorespiratory Anatomy and Physiology 2 14 Italian
Clinical Training in Cardiology Clinics 1 18 Italian
Development of Clinical Cases
2 36 Italian
Exercises in Critical Care Area 1 18 Italian
Exercises in Respiratory Pathophysiology Clinics 1 18 Italian
Exercises in Sleep Medicine 1 18 Italian
Final Examination
3 Italian
Functional and Instrumental Evaluation of the Cardiorespiratory System 4 35 Italian
Observation in the Operating Theatre (surgery) 1 18 Italian
Observation in the Operating Theatre (transplant) 1 18 Italian
Preparatory Exercises for the Realization of the Final Paper
1 18 Italian
Rehabilitation Tools
7 63 Italian
Respiratory Rehabilitation in Chronic Patient 6 56 Italian
Respiratory Rehabilitation in Neuromuscular Patient
2 21 Italian
Respiratory Rehabilitation in Paediatric Patient
2 21 Italian
Respiratory Rehabilitation in the Acute Care Setting 5 42 Italian
Respiratory Sleep Disorders 1 14 Italian
Scientific Update Methodology
2 14 Italian
Surgery 3 28 Italian
Training Internship
10 250 Italian

Enrolment

Call for applications

The call for applications is being finalized. Please refer to the call, once it is available, for admission test dates and contents, and how to register.

Application for admission: application deadlines will be published shortly.

The call for applications is being finalized