Physiotherapy : Eligibility & Course Areas
Students with a science background can opt for a career in physiotherapy.
To become a practicing physiotherapist or be employed as a professional
in a hospital or clinic, one should have a B.Sc. degree . One could also
go in for postgraduation.
The basic eligibility for courses in physiotherapy is 10+2 passed or
equivalent examination with physics, chemistry, biology and English. At
least 50% of marks should be secured in each of these subjects. Age limit
for the candidates is 17 years.
Selection : The admission to institutes is through entrance examination.
There is a Common Entrance Test (CET) for the course in Bachelor of Physiotherapy
(BPT). Admission is based mainly on CET scores.
Durations : There are both degree level and short-term courses
available in physiotherapy but all of them may not be recognised by the
government. Degree level courses in physiotherapy generally range from
3 to 4 years. For a Degree Level course, the last six months involves
an internship period at a hospital.
The courses are designed to give the students a basic understanding of
the human body, based on medical sciences, training in understanding the
procedures for therapy and the related skill training. The course contents
include anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, psychology, medical
and surgical conditions, biomechanics, kineseology, disability prevention,
rehabilitation and other subjects. A major part of the course work is
practical in nature including an internship period where students work
under the supervision of professionals at various hospitals and institutions.
Personal Attributes : Excellent interpersonal skills are necessary
for the job of a physiotherapist because it is very people oriented. To
be a good physiotherapist, one needs an above average analytical and logical
reasoning skill, scientific reasoning and problem solving skill, ability
to memorize and recall scientific facts, manual dexterity and physical
stamina to work long hours, patience and understanding of people, a sympathetic
approach towards the patients, a keen desire to help people live their
normal lives, must be level headed to deal with emergencies in work conditions,
strength of mind and purpose, team spirit, good observation power, ability
to instill confidence and courage in patients.These attributes together
with a thorough knowledge of the human anatomy are the makings of a successful
physiotherapist. The work demands an organised and systematic way of working.
Working as per the directions of doctors, keeping record of the work done
and technical precision are important in the profession.
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