Career and Prospects - Physiotherapy

The scope for Physiotherapists is wide and very challenging, they can get specializations in the fields of geriatrics, cardiorespiratory, geriatrics, orthopedics, and neurology.

Physiotherapy is a treatment to cure injury and disorders through various methods such as massage, physical exercise, medication, surgery. Physio help through physical rehabilitation, injury prevention, to lessen the effects of any dysfunction and restore the function.

Scope Of Physiotherapy

In physiotherapy, the methods used during the treatment include massage, physical exercise, or heat treatment. The scope of Physiotherapists is wide and challenging, they can get specialisations in the fields of geriatrics, cardiorespiratory, geriatrics, orthopedics, and neurology. There are a plethora of opportunities in the stream of physiotherapy in India as well as abroad.

Aim Of Physiotherapists

Physiotherapists are highly trained health professionals with the aim of improving a person’s quality of life by using a variety of methods, including restoring mobility and rehabilitation.

In the entire career of physiotherapists, they can treat all sorts of people including children with cerebral palsy, premature babies, folks undergoing rehabilitation, athletes, elderly people, pregnant women, and any others who need help post any heart disease or any major surgery.

Modern Technology

With the advancement of technology, various new modalities are used in physiotherapy treatment such as SWD, Ultraviolet, laser, Infrared, Ultrasound therapy, and many more. The course in the physiotherapy field trains students to use the latest machinery for the treatment process.

How do you get started?

The aspiring students who wish to do the physiotherapy course must have passed 10+2 examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology with at least 50 per cent marks in each subject.

After completing the 12th standard from the recognised university, students can go for the undergraduate four-year full-time BPT or Bachelor of Physiotherapy programme. Some institutes in India conduct an entrance examination for the BPT course like CET or JIPMER PG or any other entrance exam.

The students can plan for a two-year full-time master’s degree in physical therapy, MPT, after successfully completing the BPT course with a minimum aggregate score of 50 per cent from a recognised university.

The students can also opt for a two-year diploma program in physiotherapy, the students must have passed 10+2 examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology with at least 50 per cent marks in each subject.

Skills Required To Become a Successful Therapist

The physiotherapy course demands its aspirants to have the sound clinical knowledge and scientific rationale behind all the clinical modalities (Radiotherapy, ultrasound, or any other similar equipment) used during the diagnosis process. The other basic skills required are:

• Ability to speak in a persuasive tone
• Clarity in speech
• Empathy for patients
• Good convincing power
•  Excellent presentative skills

How Much Does It Cost?

• The average fees of bachelor of physiotherapy programme range between Rs 1-5 lakh per annum depending upon the university/institute.
• The average fees of master of physiotherapy programme range between Rs 2-7 lakh per annum depending upon the university/institute.
• The average fees of a diploma of physiotherapy programme Rs 25K-50K depending upon the university/institute.

Top Colleges for Physiotherapy Courses 2019

The following are the most popular BPT (Bachelor of Physiotherapy) Colleges in India.

Name of The Institute	Latest 2019 Pharmacy NIRF Rank Of The Institute	Program Fees (In Rs lakh per annum)
Sri Ramachandra Institute Of Higher Education and Research Located in Porur Chennai	20	5.63
Osmania Medical College - Hyderabad	NA	5-6
SGT University - Gurgaon	NA	5.33
Integral University - Lucknow	40th	3.60
Jamia Hamdard University  - Delhi	1st	3.1

Job Roles, Growth Prospects and Salary

There is an ocean full of employment opportunities for physiotherapists, but the two top-most opportunities are available in rehab centers, and home healthcare careers. Both the fields are showing continuous growth. The other work areas for Physiotherapists are centers for physically and mentally challenged people, community health centers industries, government hospitals, mental health centers, nursing homes, private and public hospitals, various NGOs, and many other areas.

Job Profile	Job Description	Average Salary (in Rs lakh per annum)
Physiotherapists	They work with a variety of patients such as - disabled children, pregnant women, athletes, and any other type of patients with physically dysfunctioning. The primary task includes helping patients recover through various treatments.	2-7
Research Physiotherapists	The primary responsibility is to test parameters and accomplish research goals.	3-7
Home care physiotherapist	The main job role includes the establishment of treatment plans and cure patients using a variety of methods such as stretching, exercises, hands-on therapy, and equipment to ease patient’s pain to improve the mobility of the patients.	2-4
Lecturer	They teach students at recognized universities of physiotherapy.	2-6
Sports Physio rehabilitation	The primary responsibility includes the usage of their knowledge and skills to treat sporting injuries, advice on injury prevention, and support rehabilitation and using a range of physical techniques and therapies.	4-7
Medical Coding analysts	The coding analyst is essentially entrusted with the responsibility of reviewing, auditing, and coding medical records for the purpose of reimbursement, education, and compliance.	3-8

Top Companies Hiring Physiotherapy Professionals and Future Growth

The physiotherapy professionals get hired in the top reputed hospitals and health centers. Here is the list of top companies hiring talented professionals as follow:

• Fortis Hospital
• Tawalkars Pantaloons Fitness Pvt Ltd
• Apollo Hospital
• Help Age India

The prominent companies hiring medical coding analysts are as follow:

• Omega Healthcare
• Vee Technologies
• Hinduja Global Solutions
• Apollo Hospital

To be successful in a physiotherapy career, you need a minimum of nine years (four years of undergraduate programme and a year of internship followed by up to three of relevant work experience). Students can opt for a master’s degree and doctorate programme to get lucrative offers from the top companies across the globe.

Pros And Cons Of Physiotherapy Career

Pros

• Good salary: A physical therapist is one of the jobs that offer a good salary to the individuals.
• Ample job opportunities: Many opportunity doors open for a skilled physiotherapist - in clinical and non-clinical fields and the job of the physiotherapy professionals are secured.
• Start own practice: They can run their own practices successfully.

Cons

• Physically fit: The jobs of physiotherapy professionals are very demanding and thus they need to be physically fit.
• Cost Of education: The undergraduate and postgraduate programs are very expensive, and in addition to it, the specialization will require advance training and thus one will have to bear more expenses.
• Challenges in dealing with patients: It is not an easy task dealing with physically challenged patients as they may be also suffering from mental trauma.

If the above clinical opportunities do not work for the individual, here is the list of non-clinical alternative opportunities for physiotherapists:

• Teaching professional
• Utilisation review
• Clinical trainers
•  Rehab liaison
• Healthcare recruiter