A noble calling in healthcare

Updated on: Monday, January 03, 2011

Did you miss out on admission to medical school but are too passionate to let go of your dreams to treat the sick? If so, don’t lose heart: there are many ways in which you can fulfill your ambitions. Welcome to the world of paramedicine — with its offshoots like physiotherapy, occupational therapy and radiology — that offers a promising, bright and rewarding future that guarantees great satisfaction.

Given that there are only a few qualified paramedics, the demand for trained professionals in medical institutions is increasing not only in India but in other countries like the USA, UK and Australia as well.

To begin with, a physiotherapist assesses and diagnoses the ailment, and then administers treatment programmes to restore functions or minimise dysfunctions after a disease or injury. There are many institutes that offer short-term, diploma and degree courses in physiotherapy. However, the Indian Association of Physical Therapists recognises only a few.

The Institute for the Physically Handicapped (IPH) — under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment — offers B.Sc. programmes of four and a-half-years each in physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

There are five other institutes apart from IPH under the same Ministry that offer similar and related physiotherapy courses. Along with the IPH, the National Institute for the Orthopedically Handicapped, Kolkata and the National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research, Cuttack offer Bachelor programmes too. Starting remuneration may range between `10,000 and `15,000 per month. Career paths in hospitals develop along clinical and administrative lines.

Occupational therapy, a specialisation in paramedicine is the therapeutic use of self-care, work and play activities that help increase independent function, enhance development and cope with disability. The scope of work is more widespread than physiotherapy as the emotional quotient is also kept in mind during the line of treatment.

Institutes like the National Institute for the Orthopedically Handicapped, Kolkata; IPH, Delhi; G.S. Seth Medical College, Mumbai; the All India Institute of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Mumbai and the School of Physiotherapy, Mumbai offer programmes in occupational therapy. Entry to an occupational therapy course is through a written test after 10+2 with PCM. Opportunities to practice are in rehabilitation centres, hospitals and schools.

Radiography is yet another specialisation, which is fast becoming a popular career option. Today, when most diagnosis is carried out through X-ray, angiography, CT scan or MRI, radiography has become an integral part of the healthcare industry. Technical training is essential if you want to join this occupation. A few private hospitals provide radiography courses, where selections are on the basis of merit in the secondary examination. The AIIMS, Delhi offers a three-year B.Sc. (Radiography) degree.

So, if you are compassionate and can work under pressure, why not go for an exciting career ahead?

Institutes offering courses in Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
* Institute of the Physically Handicapped, New Delhi
* National Institute for the Orthopaedically Handicapped, Kolkata
* National Institute for Rehabilitation Training and Research, Cuttack
* Christian Medical College, Vellore
* School of Physiotherapy, Nagpur
* G.S. Seth Medical College, Mumbai
* All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mumbai
* J.K. College of Nursing & Paramedicals, Coimbatore
* Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Chennai
* Kasturba Medical College, Manipal
* J J College of Physiotherapy, Chennai

A noble calling in healthcare

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