A Career in Physiotherapy

In this modern world of drugs and chemicals, treatment through manipulation appears as a boon.

Well, the other name to this boon is Physiotherapy or Physical therapy. Holding true to its name, Physiotherapy is a branch of medical science which treats diseases, injury or deformity by physical methods such as massage, heat treatment and exercise rather than drugs and surgery. It requires one to be highly skilled and trained in the application of various interventions available for the treatment.

Aim

Physiotherapy practice spans the continuum from health promotion to prevention to rehabilitation for individuals and populations throughout the lifespan. Physiotherapy diagnoses movement dysfunctions based on skillful examination and evaluation regardless of the cause or etiology and provide skilled therapeutic intervention to foster improvement in physical functioning and maximizing overall quality of life. Physiotherapists provide the initial access into the health care system for persons with impairments and functional limitations amenable to physiotherapy and engage in collegial referral relationships with other health care professionals.

Modalities

Physiotherapy professionals deal with various modalities like SWD, Ultraviolet, Laser, Ultrasound therapy, Infrared and much more. Nowadays with advanced technology various new age modalities are used. In the course the individuals are taught to use the latest machinery for treatment purposes.

Eligibility and Admission Process

Candidates need to clear 10+2 in Science stream with Biology as a mandatory subject and at least 50% of marks in each subject. The minimum age required for candidates to secure admission in a Physiotherapy course is usually around 17 years. You must take the Common Entrance Test. For MPT (Master of Physical Therapy) one need to pass BPT (Bachelor of Physiotherapy) from a recognized university with the required percentage by the university. Some even conducts entrance test.                                 

Physiotherapy Institutions                    

There are specialised educational institutions that offer the knowledge and training for the development of therapeutic skills required in this field. In India there are several renowned Physiotherapy institutes which host both Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in physiotherapy.

Some of the best government colleges for Physiotherapy are as below:

1. Swami Vivekanand National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research (SVNIRTAR), Cuttack

2. National Institute of Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD), Chennai

3. National Institute of Locomotor Disabilities (NILD), Kolkata

4. Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Institute of Physically Handicapped (PDUIPH), Delhi

These are the best institutions run by central government under Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DIVYANGJAN), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.

With Government colleges aside, there are other good private institutes to choose from like Manipal University, Sikkim Manipal University, Amity University etc.      

Check all physiotherapy colleges in India.                 

Courses and its Span

The Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy spans for a period of four years followed by compulsory six months internship and the Master’s degree spans for a period of two years. Through the Master’s degree, one can specialise in different branches such as Cardio Pulmonary Science, Community Physiotherapy, Neuroscience, Orthopedics, Pediatrics and Women Health and Sports Physiotherapy.       

After MPT, one can go for research field in Physiotherapy and get a higher fellowship degree or PhD.

Course Curriculum for BPT

Subjects taught in BPT (1st Year)
Anatomy	Physiology
Biochemistry	Psychology
Sociology	Exercise Therapy
Electrotherapy
Subjects taught in BPT (2nd Year)
Pathology	Microbiology
Pharmacology	Biomechanics
Kinesiology	Community Medicine
Subjects taught in BPT (3rd Year)
General Medicine	General Surgery
Orthopedics & Traumatology	Orthopedics and Sports Physiotherapy
Cardio-Respiratory & General Physiotherapy	Supervised Rotatory Clinical Training
Subjects taught in BPT (4th Year)
Neurology & Neurosurgery	Community Medicine
Neuro-Physiotherapy	Community-Based Rehabilitation
Supervised Rotatory Clinical Training	-

As a part of the BPT course curriculum, the internship programme for six months is after the candidates declare the pass of all subjects in the final examinations. It should be done in a teaching hospital recognised by the respective university.

Curriculum for MPT

MPT is a specialised course. Subjects taught in MPT depend on the speciality one chooses.

For a student with orthopaedics as a speciality one needs to study the ortho syllabus that includes the study of bones, osteology and bones related dysfunctions and diseases. Similarly for sports medicine one studies various sports related injuries and defects. Same applied in all aspects.

Alternative courses after BPT

After a BPT degree if one does not want to choose MPT as a career, s/he can go for other courses like

•    Masters in Public Health (MPH)
•    MSc Community Medicine
•    MSc Cardiac Technology
•    MSc Renal Dialysis Technology
•    MSc Respiratory Care Technology
•    MSc Medical Laboratory Technology
•    MSc Perfusion Technology
•    MSc Human Nutrition
•    MSc Occupational Health & Industrial Safety
•    MSc Health & Yoga  

Scope

The quality of medical care has improved tremendously in the last few decades due to the advances in technology, creating fresh challenges in the field of healthcare. Physiotherapy is now a widely recognised health service delivered by a team involving both clinicians and non-clinicians.

Professionals in physiotherapy can competently handle sophisticated machinery and advanced protocols which are now in high demand. In fact, diagnosis is now so dependent on technology, that allied and healthcare professionals are vital to successful treatment delivery. Although healthcare industry is lacking professional and qualified physiotherapists. There are only estimated 5000 qualified physiotherapists in India which is far less than average. So there is a high demand of physios in the healthcare industry. So one can find physiotherapy as a very bright and successful career in the near future.

Employment Opportunities

Currently, the two promising employment opportunities in physiotherapy are the rise of standalone rehab centres and home healthcare careers. Both the fields are showing constant growth and make up a majority of the total job growth predicted for physiotherapy in coming few years. Home healthcare is expected to become a 15 billion dollar industry in India by 2020. The field of home healthcare is currently growing at a rate of 18% annually.

Work Areas

Physiotherapists may be concerned with working in any of the following areas:

•    Centers for physically and mentally challenged people
•    Community health centers Industries
•    Government hospitals
•    Mental health centers
•    Nursing homes/ private care centers
•    Private and public hospitals
•    Private practice
•    Rehabilitation centers
•    Sports clinics and fitness centers
•    Universities and Colleges
•    Various NGOs

About the Author:

Mayurdeep is from Assam and currently pursuing BPT from Swami Vivekananda National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research (NIRTAR), Odisha. He is an aspiring Physiotherapist. He hobbies includesplaying football, practicing gymnasium and blogging.