Maximum Functional Movement

Being a physiotherapist is a separate job title in itself but it still falls under doctoring and is governed by the rules of medicine.

by MALIN GURUNG

FROM ISSUE # 159 (March 2009) | IN THIS ISSUE
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The vast scope health care covers within its boundary makes it a dynamic sector unparallel to any. It is also increasing by the day, as new advancements in technology and medicine are achieved time and again. Thus, branching out from the traditional idea of medicine, physiotherapy comes as a new concept with the sole purpose of improving the functional well being of an individual. WAVE speaks to Physiotherapists Dr. Mallika Shrestha and Dr. Raju Pandey of Himal Hospital & Research Center about this growing sector of health care, its career prospects, the requirements and much more.

What is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy or physical therapy is a branch of health care that deals with the restoration of movements in the muscle and joints and the overall functional ability of an individual without the use of surgery or medicine - two of which represents the traditional idea of health care. Physiotherapy helps an individual to achieve the maximum functional movement, which may have been stalled by various causes such as birth defects, accidents, aging, sports injuries and other factors. Unlike others areas of health care, physiotherapy puts the functional ability of individuals at the centre as a key to their well being.

Being a physiotherapist is a full time career. It is like being a dentist, a dermatologist or a surgeon – meaning that it is a separate job title in itself but it still falls under doctoring and is governed by the rules of medicine. A physiotherapist normally works within hospitals. Besides meeting with patients on a regular basis, a physiotherapist recommends several therapeutic exercises to his patients. Collaboration with doctors is also required at the latter stages of the treatment.

Requirements
A minimum graduate level study in physiotherapy is required if you want to be a proper physiotherapist. Besides, you can also complete a certificate level course, upon the completion of which you can work as a physiotherapy assistant.

However, there is only one option if you want to study physiotherapy here. "Dhulikhel Medical Institute, affiliated under Kathmandu University is the only institute that offers students a certificate level course in physiotherapy," informs Dr Shrestha, "a major in Science in the +2 level is all it requires." But for a degree one has to go abroad. Many colleges in India and abroad offer Bachelor in Physiotherapy, a four and a half years course designed to acquaint students with all the major aspects of physiotherapy. Many colleges also require students to complete a six months internship, which the colleges provide themselves. Colleges abroad may also refer to the course as Bachelors in Physical Therapy. The only requirement is a Science major in +2.

Other than educational qualifications, one should have the knack of health care and all its aspects. Once you start to work, the pressure and the demanding nature of the job require that you have enormous patience all the time. "Patience is the key in this field. A patient may take years to show the proper results," says Dr Pandey. You also require compassion and good inter-personal skills. You should be able to keep up a good rapport with your patients, as this section of health care too works on a completely patient-doctor relationship basis. Good communication with the patients and good sense of judgment is required because one doesn't work under a doctor's supervision.

Earnings and Scope
Physiotherapy is a growing health profession with good career prospects. Due to the rapid growth in the number of hospitals in the recent times, the scope for this job is increasing by the day. Today, almost all hospitals have a proper physiotherapy ward, so job placement after the completion of your course shouldn't be a problem.

Earnings are good enough to sustain yourself and it increases as you earn a good reputation. Besides, there is also the choice to work in more than one institution. Extra income can come in the form of private practice and home visits and opening up your own firm is also an option to consider. Besides hospitals, physiotherapists are also in demand at sports facilities, schools, rehabilitation centres and old-age homes.

You can also specialise in a certain area of physiotherapy for which a Masters level study of the respective course is required. One can then specialise in neurology, genealogy, orthopaedics and paediatrics just to name a few.