Physiotherapy is a growing field in Pakistan. Conclusively, physiotherapy focus on assessing, diagnosing and treating injuries of individuals. It also focuses on physical disabilities and disorders.
Modern healthcare requires specialized physiotherapists. They are in high demand. Physiotherapists can focus on sport injuries or even elderly folk. All require capable physiotherapists.
Are you thinking about pursuing a physiotherapy career in Pakistan? Wondering what is the scope of physiotherapy? You need answers on the future and potential of a physiotherapist.
This blog is a step-by-step guide on how to become a physiotherapist in Pakistan.
How to become a physiotherapist after 12th
Like all professional degrees, physiotherapy requires students to complete certain years of education. And also, students need to apply to an accredited organization for license. Each country has different rules. But the baseline is the same.
Step by Step on how to become a Physiotherapist in Pakistan
Step 1: Complete your 12th year in pre-medical
It is imperative that you have studies Biology, Chemistry, and Physics in your high school or intermediate. These subjects provide a foundation for the scientific principles and concepts that you will encounter during your physiotherapy education. The same applies for O and A-levels.
Students need to also pass a pre-medical test for certain top colleges and universities. This is to ensure top students are admitted.
Step 2: Gain admission to a university offering the DPT program
After completing your pre-medical education, you need to gain admission to a university that offers the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. The physiotherapy degree is called DPT Doctor of Physio Therapy. Typically, universities and colleges all across Pakistan are offering a 5-year program.
These 5 year programs ensure students get theory level and practical knowledge. Universities offering the DPT program connect with hospitals and clinics. This affiliation ensures students attend clinics and can work with senior physiotherapists.
Physiotherapy is a great career for females in Pakistan. You can work in the government sector or open your own clinic.
Pakistan has public and private colleges offering this program. The merit for government public colleges is very high. Only top students get admitted. Majority of the students interested in pursuing physiotherapy enroll in a private university.
Step 3 – Find your niche
During the 5 years of education, students get to learn about disabilities and injuries. You work closely with different age groups and sectors. In fact, you also get exposure to different fields. Students assist athletics to recuperate from an injury. Additionally, students learn about different disabilities that come forth during old age.
In fact, many of the times, students work closely with accidental issues like car accidents.
Additionally, as a physiotherapist, you also work closely with other health care professionals. In clinics, you work closely with nurses. Nurses work along with physiotherapists during healing phases. Diploma nurses work with patients in basic health care services. One of the major benefits of diploma in nursing in Pakistan is that you get to work with different sectors. This includes physiotherapy segment.
Recommendation is for students to find out their niche and work closely to learn the skills and tools for a particular segment. You cannot be a generalist. Eventually, you will need to build a particular skill for yourself.
Step 4: Complete the DPT degree
DPT degree helps students to prepare for the practical world. You will learn subjects like anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, rehabilitation, and exercise physiology.
Many of the DPT programs have certain hours that students need to complete at local centers and hospitals.
Students learn how to assess and diagnose all the walk in patients. You will learn about categorization of the disorders and then applying therapeutic modalities to those disorders.
Each disorder and injury has a particular modality. Certain injuries require exercises, whereas certain disorders require extensive rehabilitation.
It is important that students graduate with a clear understanding of the different tools, exercises and treatment for different disorders. The more apt students are, the better they can integrate into clinics and hospitals.
Currently, physiotherapy is working closely with biomechanics to evolve new machines and equipment to help patients with quicker and more stable recoveries.
During the last two years of the degree, students work closely with senior instructors to learn the clinical skills. Working in hospital environments, student gain confidence and learn how to handle different patients.
Step 5 – Self Analysis prior to registration
Before applying for registration, ensure you are clear on your long term and short term goals. Are you planning on opening up your own clinic? Do you want to work with other seasoned professionals in a hospital environment?
Ensure you completely walk yourself through your goals. Have a checklist of all the exercises and therapeutic techniques.
Step 6: Apply for registration with PPTC (Pakistan Physical Therapy Council)
PPTC (Pakistan Physical Therapy Council) is the governing body for all physiotherapists in Pakistan. The organization oversees the practice of physiotherapists. PPTC is the official regulatory body in Pakistan for physiotherapists.
The organization allows all fresh graduates to become members. However, students need to apply and pass the PPTC license examination prior to practice. The license examination has a written and practical component.
In fact, the test is to ensure you have learned the important skills and techniques to assist patients in recovery and rehabilitation. PPTC evaluates your theoretical and practical clinical skills.
Step 7: Pursue further specialization
As a physiotherapist, you will always be continuously learning new skills and recovery exercises. Majority of physiotherapists tend to further pursue their specializations. You can get a more in-depth analysis of the clinical skills required to become an expert.
There are many fields of study to explore. This can include sports physiotherapy, neurophysiotherapy, pediatrics physiotherapy, and more.
Conclusion
Do realize that pursuing a career as a physiotherapy is a long term commitment. You will have to study extensively to understand new subjects and spent your time in hospitals for practical skills.
