Physiotherapy as a Career Choice in 2020

1. Physiotherapy as a Career Choice in 2020 Physiotherapy, also known as physical therapy, is an allied health profession that makes use of bio – mechanics or kinesiology, manual therapy, exercise therapy and electrotherapy, to help patients restore, maintain and increase their physical mobility, strength and function. Physiotherapists are skilled in helping patients regain mobility, as they have a better understanding of how the body works and are trained in clinical skills to assess, diagnose and treat disabilities. Physiotherapists can help patients recover from injuries and disabilities ranging from back and knee pain to ligament issues. They also play a vital role in alleviating the pain resulting from degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, Cerebral Palsy, and Stroke. The work of a physiotherapist is not limited to a clinic but they facilitate healing of both chronic and acute patients by treating them at home. Not only this, physiotherapists are also responsible for rehabilitating patients recovering from major surgeries and in over-seeing that such patients do not have pulmonary problems as a result of restricted movement. For people of all ages, these healthcare professionals work tirelessly to ensure that patients remain healthy, mobile, and independent for as long as possible. Thus it is an incredibly noble profession and physiotherapy graduates are highly sought after in medical and healthcare institutions in India and abroad.

2. Looking to study Physiotherapy: How and Why? To become a Physiotherapist one needs to secure at least 50% marks in 10+2 examinations in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. If a candidate is interested in rehabilitation and up for a challenging career in the health sciences then they can seek admissions in universities and colleges which offer Physiotherapy courses. Most Bachelor of Physiotherapy courses consist of four years of formal learning followed by six months of internship so that students can graduate with both clinical experience and subject-oriented learning. Hospitals and clinics generally prefer a degree in Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) more than a B.Sc degree since the former is more rigorous and clinical practice oriented which is desirable for hospitals. If students are unsure whether this is the right career for them then they can opt for a diploma course(one year) which will help them understand the basis of the subject and open the door for further development. On the other hand students who find themselves fascinated with the subject and desire to learn more can enroll for the two-year Master of Physiotherapy (MPT) program. Fresh out of high-school and wondering if a BPT degree is right fit for you?

3. A career as a physiotherapist can be extremely rewarding for students who want to be an integral part of the healthcare system. Every day over 60, 000 patients are being diagnosed with degenerative and neuro-muscular diseases that render them immobile and cause further complications such as heart disorders, diabetes, and depression. Palliative care offered by physiotherapists is a boon to such patients and helps them to regain a semblance of normal life. During the first four years students are trained in human anatomy, physiology, human-drug interactions, and rehabilitative procedures, all of which give them a holistic view of the human body and its functioning. Therefore, when they approach a patient they can easily diagnose the problems and ensure speedy treatment. And incidentally, there is no dearth of patients requiring specialized care, the demand for physiotherapists always remains sky-high. What should you look for while selecting a university? It is best for students to choose a degree in Bachelor of Physiotherapy(BPT) over a BSc. degree since in the long run the former is more conducive to career growth. A good institution must have excellent industry tie-ups which will give their students an opportunity to intern with the best hospitals and clinics and give them an advantage over their peers. Students should also ensure that the curriculum followed by the university of their choice is practise-focused and geared towards understanding the latest in-field developments(electro-therapy, holistic healing etc.).

4. How much does a typical Bachelors in Physiotherapy course cost? BPT course fees in India usually range from anywhere between 2 lakhs to 6 lakhs. Given below are the course fees of some of the prominent institutions in India offering BPT courses: • Techno India University-- 4.10 lakhs • Lovely Professional University- 3.36 lakhs • Brainware University—3 lakhs • Manipal School of Allied Health Sciences-- 8 lakhs • The Neotia University-- 4.5 lakhs The job opportunities are endless As a physiotherapist you can work in private clinics, government hospitals, massage spas and wellness centres. A government job is highly covetous, besides recent study reports that there has been a 21% increase in health tourism and the self-care industry. It implicates that with the growth of health consciousness and rise in average income people are focusing more on caring for themselves holistically. Therefore, international hotel chains and other hospitality industries of repute are now introducing health provisions for their clients. The Hilton for example has a luxury wellness spa where the clients can book sessions with renowned chiropractors and physiotherapists to keep themselves fit. These jobs are high paying and extremely lucrative for students in terms of career development and job satisfaction.

5. Why decide on a career in Physiotherapy? There are millions in India suffering from various degenerative diseases due to poor lifestyle and genetic disorders.A physiotherapist can help alleviate their pain and improve the quality of their life in significant ways. There is a high demand for trained physiotherapists in India as the healthcare sector is expanding at an unprecedented rate of over 58% per annum. This boom in healthcare is not just limited to India but is a global phenomenon. The global healthcare industry is projected to grow from US $8.45 trillion in 2018 to $10 trillion dollars by 2020. This is great news for future physiotherapy graduates as it means the job demand will be exponentially high in the coming years. Average salary of a physiotherapist Average starting salary of physiotherapists in India is 5 lakhs per annum. There is a great scope for development in physiotherapy thanks to the increased revenue allocated to healthcare. By 2020, India is expected to rank amongst the top 3 healthcare markets in terms of incremental growth ( approximately 1.5 times from current 1 billion dollars). In the last decade (2000-2014) alone there has been a 370% increase in total health expenditure and a 45.06% increase in the total investments in health startups. Physiotherapists trained in India can enhance their career prospects with additional certification and then move abroad for more high paying jobs. Students opting for a career in Physiotherapy can rest assured that they will always be in high demand since there is no possibility for healthcare to slow down in a rapidly developing country like India. In the age of health freaks and clean living a degree which focuses on enhancing human comfort and movement is extremely valuable. Thus a Bachelors in Physiotherapy is a perfectly sound career option for students. Published by Brainware University