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Comprehensive view of BPT Part I- 9-Aug-2010
Do you know, that today there are only about 5,000 qualified physiotherapists in India? Yet, it is estimated that one physiotherapist is required for every 10,000 people, and the demand for trained professionals is only growing with escalation of time.
Physiotherapy is a science that helps to improve movement dysfunction, and promote functions of the human body and optimal health. This involves assessment, diagnosis and treatment of disease and disability through physical means.
Physiotherapist helps patients rehabilitate from a state of incapacity due to genetic defect or the result of an accident or illness. Hence, you must have thorough knowledge of the human anatomy and the entire functioning of bones, muscles and nerves.
Since it is important to build up a good rapport with patients and communicate with their relatives, excellent interpersonal skills including being empathetic, having patience and being able to understand people, is a must. Physiotherapist also need to work closely with doctors and hence, being organised, working systematically and following the doctors instructions, is a must.
"Have a positive attitude, instill confidence and courage in your patients and be sympathetic in your approach. Remember, every individual is different, no problem is the same," says a Senior Physiotherapist from a recognized hospital. Last, but not the least, the senior therapist offers some words of wisdom for aspiring physiotherapists, "Always tell the truth and never promise your patients the impossible."
Spinal and joint conditions like arthritis, post accident treatment and rehabilitation, back and neck pain, problems affecting children including cerebral palsy and spina bifida, cancer and palliative care, pregnancy related problems such as back pain, stress incontinence, work-related injuries, heart/lung conditions like asthma, obstructive airways diseases (COPD) and other breathing difficulties, sports injuries, and brain injuries (example: strokes) and other neurological problems are the various conditions treated through physiotherapy
How to become Physiotherapist:
As a professional discipline, the course made an appearance in the early 60s and mostly was offered as a one-year diploma that one can pursue after 10+2.
There are three ways to enter the field.
A diploma (DPT), a degree (BSc) or a professional course (BPT of four years with a 6-month internship).
As the profession grew and the demand for physiotherapists improved the degree attained its professional avatar as BPT. Across the country over 300 colleges offer a Bachelor in Physiotherapy (BPT) The duration is usually four-and-a-half years.
The diploma course increasingly is finding less favour with major hospitals. If you pursue a diploma course (one year), it would just make you eligible to work as a physiotherapists assistant.
Though Govt. rules still do not discriminate between diploma and degree (view box) in realty a degree finds much more acceptance. Though a BSc course is an improvement many hospitals are keen on hiring a candidate with a BPT, which includes an internship period of six months in the fourth year of study. So it would be advisable to go for a BPT.
When choosing an institute:
Look at the reputation of the institute, recognition of the institute, how old the institute is, faculty members at the institute and infrastructure. The apex body for Physiotherapy education in India is Indian Association of Physiotherapists (IAP).
Make sure your desired institute is IAP recognised. It is advisable to go for higher studies like MPT for better employment opportunity.
All courses are not recognised by the government, and it is always preferable to choose a degree course over a diploma or a certificate. Hence, choose your college carefully; it must be recognised and have proper infrastructure otherwise you will not receive proper training to work in the field.
