Qualifications of a Physiotherapist
The foremost role of a physiotherapist is to facilitate in treating people with physical disorders caused due to injury, or surgery, or ageing, or illness.
Physiotherapy also is known as physical therapy is an allied healthcare profession which uses kinesiology or biomechanics, exercise therapy, electrotherapy, and manual therapy to facilitate patients in restoring, maintaining and increasing their strength, physical mobility, and function. Physiotherapists effectively help patients in regaining their mobility since they have an enhanced knowledge of how the human body works and physiotherapists are trained and qualified in clinical skills to evaluate, diagnose and cure disabilities. Physiotherapists can also assist patients in recovering from disabilities and injuries such as neck pain, back pain, ligament issues, and knees pain. Furthermore, physiotherapists also assist in rehabilitating patients suffering from paralysis, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and stroke.
Physiotherapists assist patients in rehabilitating from a condition of incapacity because of genomic defect or due to an illness or accident. Hence, it is essential that they have a systematic knowledge of the human anatomy as well as the intricacies of muscles, bones and nerves. There are 3 ways to enter this field: a diploma (DPT) in physiotherapy, or a degree (BSc) with six months internship, or a Master's and/or Ph.D. in physiotherapy. The foremost role of a physiotherapist is to facilitate in treating people with physical disorders caused due to injury, or surgery, or ageing, or illness. Physiotherapists work with patients in identifying and improving the mobility and function of their body and cure pain, or physical injury or disease. Physiotherapists focus on maximising their patient’s life quality and mobility potential by means of prevention, treatment or intervention, rehabilitation, and promotion. Physiotherapists generally work with other physicians as part of a team of healthcare specialists. A good physiotherapist would require the following personal traits and skills to be successful in their profession.
- Analytical and logical thinking skills
- Being legally responsible and accountable
- Ability in building a rapport with patients from diverse backgrounds and communicating with their carer and relatives.
- Ability to use and operate physical therapy equipment sensibly
- Collecting patient information and writing reports
- Communicating and interacting with other healthcare specialists in holistically treating patients
- Counselling skills comprising a non-judgemental approach and active listening
- Excellent customer service (patients) skills
- Educating and guiding patients as in what ways to improve and/or prevent their condition
- Knowledge of psychology
- Managing workplace risk and having the patience and the ability to remain calm and composed in demanding situations
- Self-education to be informed with new technologies and techniques
- Understanding and sensitivity, and excellent physical fitness
- Overseeing junior staff and therapy assistants
- Ability to carry out basic tasks on a hand-held device or a computer
- To be adaptable and open to change
- Enjoy working and collaborating with other people, that is, good teamwork skills
Qualifications Needed to Become Physiotherapists
Diploma in Physiotherapy (DPT)
DPT is a two-year (or at times three-year course) course that teaches specialists to maximise performance of human mobility, facilitate clients in achieving optimal independence in physical mobility and function, implement evidence-based methods to manage ailments of the body for individuals of all age groups, offer treatment, care and preventive advice, rehabilitate those with psychological and physical impairment, and maximise clients’ functional capabilities for healthy lifestyles.
The eligibility for pursuing DPT course is X and XII qualifications from an approved educational board with Chemistry/Physics/Biology as the main subjects studied in class XII, with an aggregate score of at least 50 per cent. However, even aspirants who have completed 10th standard are eligible to apply for this course as several institutes accept 10th passed students for admissions to DPT course. Admissions to DPT course is based on entrance exams or some institutes give direct admission based on the board examination marks.
Students who have successfully completed DPT course work in a range of settings comprising private and government hospitals, private practices, sports clubs, health centres, rehabilitation centres, gyms, and defence medical organisations. Students can also pursue advanced courses such as MPT or PhD in Physiotherapy. Some of the major subjects taught in DPT course are
- Anatomy
- Pathology
- Physiology
- Kinesiology
- Psychology
- Biomechanics
- Rehabilitation.
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT)
BPT is a 4 and 1/2 years course together with compulsory six months of clinical internship. The course involves the science of physical movement intended at preventing diseases and disabilities. Students enrolled to this course are trained in the advanced level of core physiotherapeutic skills like therapeutic exercises, use of electro-physical techniques and manual therapy to treat different diseases and disabilities related to the spine, neck, and stress-related incontinence.
The eligibility for pursuing BPT course is X and XII qualifications from an approved educational board with Chemistry/Physics/Biology as the main subjects studied in class XII, with an aggregate score of at least 50 per cent. Admissions to BPT course is usually through entrance test. Some of the major entrance exams are the Gurugovind Indraprastha University (GIU) Physiotherapy Entrance Exam (PET), Common Entrance Test (CET), and JIPMER All India Entrance Exam (AIEE).
After successfully completing the BPT course, students can seek employment prospects in both the public and the private sectors as osteopaths, physiotherapist, sports physio rehabilitator, lecturer, researcher, among others. If students demonstrate their practical expertise, they can find well-paid jobs in the ministry of sports, sports stadium, various health societies, and so on. They also have the choice of pursuing independent or private practice. Further, graduates can pursue Masters of Physiotherapy (MPT) for their advanced studies.
The BPT course curriculum is divided into 8 semesters in addition to six months of clinical internship in the clinical facility integrated with the college or some leading hospitals. The curriculum also includes theoretical classes and clinical exposure in prominent multispecialty hospitals. The major subjects taught are
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Microbiology
- Psychology
- Biomechanics
- Biochemistry
- Orthopaedics
- Neurology and neurosurgery
- Allied Therapies
- General Medicine
Master of Physiotherapy (MPT)
MPT is a 2-year full-time course, imparted utilising different teaching and learning methods, comprising lectures, practical exercises, case discussions, field visits, lab work, journal clubs, seminars, group discussions, collaborative learning, hands-on training, assignments, dissertation and internship. The eligibility criterion for candidates interested in pursuing the course is graduation in BPT from a recognised university with an aggregate score of at least 50 per cent. The aspirants of the MPT program are required to take the entrance exam conducted at the university-level or at the national level. The previous academic performance is also given some weight during the admission process. Some of the important entrance exams are CET, JIPMER AIEE, GIU PET, All India Post Graduate Physiotherapy Entrance Test, and Manipal University Online Entrance Test.
On the successful completion of MPT course, students can seek employment different settings such as hospitals, orthopaedic departments, private clinics, sports training facilities, health institutions, educational institution, rehabilitation centres, defense medical establishments, among others. They are employed as a lecturer, chief physiotherapist, osteopath, researcher, sports physiotherapy rehabilitator, research assistant, therapy manager, home physiotherapist, among others The MPT curriculum is divided into 4 semesters including a clinical internship in top hospitals. The key subjects taught in MPT course are
- Physiotherapy Practice
- Electrotherapy
- Biomechanics
- Kinesiology
- Psychology
- Physiology
To conclude, with numerous specialisations, a career in physiotherapy has excellent opportunities. The present way of life is becoming more challenging with higher stress levels and decreased physical activity, together with common ailments such as hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. This demographic implies that the demand for physiotherapists is continually increasing, and in turn, providing rewarding job prospects.
