Physiotherapy A s A Career
Choosing a
career is an important decision. It is
advisable to find as much as you can before
deciding whether it is the occupation you
are looking for.
What is
Physiotherapy?
''
Physiotherapy is a health care profession
concerned with human function and movement
and maximizing potential. It uses physical
approaches to promote, maintain and restore
physical, psychological and social well
being, taking account of variations in
health status ''
Physiotherapist identify and maximize
movement potential through health promotion,
preventive healthcare, treatment and
rehabilitation.
The core
skills used by Physiotherapist include
manual therapy, therapeutic exercise and the
application of electrophysical modalities.
[The above
is taken from the CSP curriculum framework
(January 2002.]
What does
Physiotherapy do?
Physiotherapist work to combat a broad range
of physical problems, in particular those
associated with neuromuscular,
musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and
respiratory system. They can work alone or
Increasingly, with other healthcare
professionals in multi-professional teams.
The
Following are just some of the areas
Physiotherapist work in:
-
Outpatients: treating acute and chronic
musculoskeletal disorders foe e.g.
spinal and joint problems and sports
injuries
-
Intensive care: keeping limbs mobile and
chest clear
- Women's
Health: advising on ante-natal and
post-natal care, exercise and posture
and managing continence and post
gynecology operations
- Care of
the elderly: maintaining their mobility
and independence
-
Neurorehabilitation: helping patients
with neurological disorders for example
stroke
-
Orthopaedics and surgical: for example
helping patients after spinal operations
and hip, knee and other joint
replacement: treating patients who have
had accidents
-
Paediatrics: for example helping
children with special needs
-
Education and health promotion: for
example teaching people about posture,
back care, weight reduction and physical
activity
-
Sports clinics: helping athletes recover
from injury, return to full fitness and
avoid further injuries
*Refer to
the diagram
Physiotherapist may be involved with sports
coverage, conferences and meetings
As
Physiotherapist gain experiences, they can
choose either to work with a wide range of
conditions or to specialize. There are lots
of opportunities for Physiotherapist to
develop their skills and expertise through
further courses.
Qualification:
It takes
three or four years of full-time study to
become a Physiotherapist. This will include
a large amount of study in your own time,
and lengthy clinical placements.
Subjects include Human Anatomy, Surface
Anatomy, Physiology, Human Biomechanics,
Biochemistry and other subjects specific to
Physiotherapy.
For students
pursuing Universities in the United Kingdom:
Students are
normally required to have three A2 level
subjects at a minimum of Grade C and above (
one should be biological science ) and
normally four A1 levels at Grade B including
biological science.
Some of the
Universities to Consider:
Full time 3 years:
Cardiff
University (C15)
University of
East Anglia (E14)
Keele
University (K12)
The University
of Salford (S03)
Sheffield
Hallam University (S21)
University of
Southampton (S27)
University of
Teesside (T20)
(All the
above are from the United Kingdom)
Do consider
Universities from Australia, and New
Zealand.
*Refer to
the diagram
On Choosing Physiotherapy School:
On choosing
School it is wise to consult the Department
of Accreditations situated in the Ministry
of Education, Government Offices Complex In
Old Airport Site, Brunei Darussalam.
Career opportunities:
Once
qualified it is commonly a requirement to do
a two (2) year '' Basic Grade''. This means,
a newly qualified physiotherapist would have
to do a rotation in all the mandatory
specialized area ( in established hospitals
like RIPAS, SSB, PMMPMHAMB, PIHM) placement
for experience. After which they can decide
'area of interest' or 'area of special
talent' to specialize and go for further
studies or to be allocated & concentrate
when working.
Other Places
where a
Physiotherapist can work: (Alone or with a
team)
Sports Team,
Private Sector: For established Companies
like Brunei shell or Gymnasiums, or even set
up your own clinic, For Departments with
Uniformed Personnel like Army, Police, Fire
& Rescue, Education etc