Career Option in Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is typically associated with massage, exercises or treating broken legs. But, it aims at improving the physical and the mental health of patients right from elderly people, to people with paralytic attack, disabled people. It requires training in a range of skills, to be able to evaluate and treat patients of all ages with a wide range of illness and conditions, helping and advising those who care for people and educating the public to help themselves.

Education Details & Eligibility:

The entry requirements are much like any other degree course in health sciences (ie)  a pass in Higher Secondary Examinations (or) its equivalent with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as subjects. The medium of instruction is English.  As competition is high, it is a must that one should get merit in the Common Entrance Examinations conducted by the University.

Course Duration:

There are both degrees level and short-term courses available in physiotherapy but all of them may not be recognized by the government. Degree level courses in physiotherapy generally range from 3 to 4 years. Bachelor of Physiotherapy is four and half years. For a Degree Level course, the last six months involve an internship period at a hospital.Master of Physiotherapy is two years.

Students study:

• I Year Behavioral sciences, Anatomy, Physiology and Bio-chemistry (2 semesters)
• II Year Movement Science, Electrotherapy, Pathology and Pharmacology, General Medical conditions and surgical conditions including Pediatrics and Bio Mechanics (2 Semesters)
• III Year Clinical subjects - Orthopaedics and traumatic conditions, Neurological conditions and cardio-respiratory diseases, Rehabilitation Medicine, Community medicine and Community physiotherapy (2 semester).
• IV Year Applied physiotherapy in Orthopaedics and traumatic conditions, Neurological Sciences and Cardio respiratory diseases, Physical diagnosis, Ethics and management study (2 semesters).

Education Total Expenses:

• B.P.T Rs 70,000/ - per year (approximately)
• M.P.T . Rs. 1,00,000/- per year (approximately

For details on colleges please visit www.StudyGuideIndia.com.

Once qualified, one can work in a general hospital moving from one department to another, multispecialty hospitals with hi-tech equipment, rehabilitation centers meant for loco motor handicapped (orthopaedic and neurological) as well as in the community. There are qualified physiotherapists almost everywhere in a hospital.

They render physiotherapy service in the following areas:

OUT PATIENTS Treating bad backs and necks; arthritis; post-traumatic patients; sports injuries etc.,

CARE OF ELDERLY PEOPLE Treating rheumatism, arthritis and other conditions that elderly people have with aims in maintaining their mobility and independence.

NEUROLOGICAL Treating stroke patients, cerebral palsy children, spinal cord injured patients, brain injured patients and any degenerative conditions of nervous system.

INTENSIVE CARE keeping limbs mobile and chest clear for patients who are unconscious.
And also working in cardiac rehabilitation and post cardiac surgery patients.
Airway Maintenance In Pulmonary Conditions

MATERNITY Ante-natal classes; Post - natal exercises and posture.

ORTHOPAEDICS Following all types of orthopaedic surgeries like spinal operations, hip and knee replacements, multiple trauma patients, amputees as well as reconstructive surgeries, rehabilitative surgeries soft tissue surgeries.

SPECIAL SCHOOLS AND CHILDREN

CENTERS helping children with severe mental and physical handicaps.
But that is not all; many physiotherapists work outside hospitals also.

EDUCATION AND PREVENTION Teaching people in all walks of life about back care; running exercise classes for fitness and cardiac clubs.

IS THAT ALL THEY DO, No. These are but a few examples of what physiotherapists can do. It is largely up to them; as they gain experience, they can choose either to work with a wide range of conditions or to specialize. The trend is towards specialization.

In fact, there is a tremendous scope for physiotherapists to continue to develop their skills and expertise through further courses in areas such as manual therapy, sports physiotherapy, pediatrics physiotherapy, orthopaedic musculoskeletal physiotherapy, neurological physiotherapy, cardiothroacic physiotherapy etc. In India, one can specialize by undergoing Master of Physiotherapy (MPT) course.

The salary can be from Rs.5, 000 to Rs.1, 00, 000 for freshers and increases with the person's experience and knowledge.

The International Society for physiotherapy has links to programs of study and online courses in physiotherapy and to job postings.
Web site link: www.csp.org.uk