Physical Therapy Education In United States

In the United States, curricula for Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). While currently 226 of the 227 programs offer the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, there are still many physical therapists currently practicing in the US who were trained with a Bachelor of Science (BSPT) or Master of Physical Therapy degree. According to the American Physical Therapy Association, the number of DPT programs offered in the US rose from 19 out of 212 accredited programs (along with 184 MSPT and 9 BSPT programs) in 2000, to 222 out of 227 programs in 2011.

Physical Therapist Assistants typically graduate with an Associate of Applied Science degree. As of August 2011, there were 276 accredited two-year (Associate degree) programs for Physical Therapist Assistants In the United States.

After graduating an accredited program, PTs and PTAs are required to pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) before they can obtain a license to practice. Each state regulates physical therapy licenses independently, so precise requirements for licensure and renewal vary from state to state.

Physical Therapist education includes clinical internships that normally occur toward the end of the professional degree. During this time, the doctoral intern will rotate between different settings for a given time period of a month or more. For example, a doctoral intern may have a rotation in orthopeadics during one month and then in wound care the next month. This would continue in different settings for a predetermined amount of time, which is usually around a year. After graduating from an accredited program and becoming licensed, a Doctor of Physical Therapy may continue his or her education by entering a residency and then fellowship. Residencies and Fellowships are not required at this time, but are becoming more common in physical therapy education. Currently there are 162 residencies and fellowships in the United States.

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Physical Therapy Education In United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, pre-registration undergraduate and postgraduate Physiotherapy degree courses are offered by thirty five universities. Undergraduate degree programs are three years in duration in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and four years in Scotland, whilst pre-registration Master's degrees are spread over two extended academic years. The difference between the length of degree courses within Scotland compared to the rest of the UK, reflects the nature of the Education system within that countryand it should be noted that the content of all UK degree programs is essentially the same. All courses are approved by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the UK Health and Care Professions Council - the latter allowing registration and entitlement to use the protected title of Physiotherapist upon successful completion of the degree program. All Physiotherapy degree courses consist of a mix of theoretical and practical teaching sessions and include a compulsory 1000 hours of clinical practice spread across each of the academic years. Pre-registration Physiotherapy training consists of advanced study within each of three distinct areas of UK Physiotherapy practice - Musculoskeletal, Neurological and Cardio-respiratory care. Typical entry requirements for undergraduate degree courses are three academic GCE 'A' Level courses (or equivalents) at grades between ABB - AAA dependent upon the higher education institution. Postgraduate programs require a degree within a relevant subject (e.g. Biology, Anatomy and Physiology etc.) with a minimum grade of an upper second class honours.

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Physical Therapy Education In Pakistan

Physical therapy (Physiotherapy) is a branch of medical science and an essential segment of modern health care system. It is a “science of healing and art of caring”. It pertains to the clinical examination, evaluation, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of so many disorders which covers 24 specialties of medicine out of 27. According to American Board of Physical Therapy Specialist there are some major areas of Physical therapy as Musculoskeletal (Orthopaedic), Neurology, Cardiopulmonary, Sports Physical Therapy, Pediatric Physiotherapy, Electrophysiology, Integumentary Physical Therapy, Hydrotherapy and Women’s Health. Physical Therapy is the most flourishing discipline that cultivates at the cross road of new trends in Rehabilitation Science. It is an independent health care profession concerned with identifying & maximizing quality of life & movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, treatment & rehabilitation specialty which has physical means of treating patients suffering from different diseases. Though the field is as old as human is; physical therapy was practiced in 460B.C & it was the first time in 1894 in the history of England when a regulatory body under the name of “Chartered Society of Physiotherapy” was formed and it got its recognition in New Zealand in 1913 & then by USA in 1914. In Pakistan to cure Physical ailments, The First School regarding Physical Therapy Education was established in 1956 by the Federal Government, Ministry of Health & Social Welfare with the assistance of World Health Organization (WHO) at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center Karachi. Initially, the school offered a 2 years Diploma course with the minimum entrance qualification of matriculation (science group). In 1961, the 2 years program was upgraded to a 3 years Diploma. Later on, the program was raised to BSc Physiotherapy Degree (3 years) in 1963 after FSc Pre-Medical, affiliated with the University of Karachi, and pertinent changes were added & made in the syllabus according to the need. In Punjab, The School of Physiotherapy, Mayo Hospital, Lahore was established in 1985 for Physical Therapy education. When International faculties of Physiotherapy had upgraded their syllabi, In order to match those standards; in 1999, BSc Physiotherapy course was upgraded to 4 years BS Physiotherapy Degree Course. Recently, following the “Vision 2020 of American Physical Therapy Association”, the 4 years BSPT Program was upgraded to 5 years DPT (Doctor of Physiotherapy) Program in 2008 to meet the International standard. Pakistan the 3rd country in the world which is offering Doctor of Physical Therapy Course. In past, until 2007, there were only seven to eight institutions those offer physiotherapy education but now at present, more than 60 Institutions of Pakistan offering this education under the umbrella of different universities. There is only one association in Pakistan under the name of Pakistan Physical Therapy Association which is affiliated with World Confederation Physical Therapy but at government level there is no statuary regulatory and registration authority (Pakistan Physical Therapy Council) for Physical therapy education and for physical therapy Practitioners of Pakistan. The question arises why is there need of council for physical therapy? The answer is very simple. The council will provide guiding principles for use in every day practice for Physical Therapy professionals in their roles in regard to patients, students, community, colleagues, researchers and Pakistani citizens. The Code of Ethics of this council will be a public document which will endeavors to educate its members and the public on professional ethics. It will plan for the welfare and protection of the individuals and societies. It will state the responsibility of Physical therapy professionals to society and individuals; and the rights of an individual. It will serve for professionals and public interest. This regulatory body will also register all physiotherapy professionals and educational institutions all over the Pakistan. In Pakistan, Doctors, Pharmacists, Vet. Doctors, Homeopathics, Hakims (Tibb) and Nurses all have their statuary regulatory authorities under the manes of Pakistan Medical & Dental Council, Pakistan Pharmacy Council, Pakistan Veterinary Medical Council, National Council for Homeopathic, National Council for Tibb and Pakistan Nursing Council respectively. Then why there is no council for Physical Therapists who gain education from under graduation (DPT) to post graduation (PhD) in Pakistan. Due to the absence of a regulatory body, it had negatively impacted the quality of education at institutions and quackery was also on the rise and the “Technicians, who have only worked for a few weeks with a qualified physiotherapist, open their own clinics and start treating patients. Around two years back our professionals prepared a draft law for the establishment of Physiotherapy Council and submitted it to the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) but in vain. Due to lack of structure and regulatory authority, after graduation most of our professional leave the country and Pakistan is facing shortage of skilled professionals like other disciplines. To avoid brain drain and for the welfare of citizens , I request to people who are in the power corridor please do something for physical therapy profession which is neglected since the establishment of Pakistan. There is a dire need of Pakistan Physical Therapy Council.In Pakistan there are 20 colleges offering DPT, 3 universities are offering t-DPT, 2 universities are offering M.Phil in Physiotherapy and 1 university offering PhD in Physiotherapy. Physiotherapists have a good scope in government and private hospitals and they are awarded 17 grade pay scale. In this way Pakistan has become the third country offering DPT in the world. Regards: Dr. Hassan Anjum Shahid, PT President Young Physical Therapist Association, Pakistan HOD, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences Imperial college of Business Studies

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Physical Therapy Education In New Zealand

 

In New Zealand, there are currently two schools of physiotherapy offering four-year undergraduate programs. Many New Zealand physiotherapists work in the private health care system as musculoskeletal physiotherapists and the curriculum reflects the need to prepare graduates for autonomous practice. Students follow an educational program similar to Australia with an emphasis on biomechanics, kinesiology and exercise. Postgraduate study typically involves three years of subject specific learning. The New Zealand Society of Physiotherapists Incorporated (NZSP) is the professional body that physiotherapists may optionally be a member of in New Zealand.

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Physical Therapy Education In Australia

In Australia, a few different programs are available at both undergraduate and post graduate level. The physiotherapy degree can be undertaken over a four-year period as an undergraduate or two to three years post graduate with the early components being predominantly theoretical including basic anatomy, biology, physics, psychology, kinesiology, goniometry and physiology. In the latter half of the degree students partake in practical components focusing on musculoskeletal physiotherapy, neuromuscular physiotherapy, paediatric physiotherapy, geriatric physiotherapy, cardiothoracic physiotherapy, and women's health. The program generally progresses with an increasingly clinical focus and usually the final year involves practical placements at clinics, and research. Australian programs include the B.Physio, B.App.Sc.Physio, B.Sc.Physio, M.Physio, or D.Physio degrees.

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Physical Therapy In South Africa

In South Africa Physiotherapists are First line practitioners (i.e. a health professional who can autonomously diagnose and treat), can refer patients to medical practitioner specialists and X-Ray imaging and issue a certificate of illness. There are eight schools of physiotherapy, usually attached to the corresponding medical school.

The bachelor's degree (B.PhysT, B.Sc.(Physio) or B.Physio) consists of four years of general practice training, involving all aspects of the discipline. Typically, the first year comprises largely theoretical ("basic sciences") instruction, while the second includes a focus on human anatomy and -physiology. Gradually, time spent in supervised practice increases until the fourth year, in which the student generally spends about 80% in practice. In their final year, students are also expected to complete various research projects, which fulfill the requirements of an Honours degree. At the postgraduate level, several of the universities offer course work based Master's degrees (MPhysT, M.Sc.(Physio)) focused on a specific area of practice, and including a "mini-dissertation". Research based degrees are the MSc. and Ph.D. (Physio).

After graduation, professional practice can only be entered into after completing a state governed, compulsory year of community service. Practicing physiotherapists are also required to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa,the registering body for physiotherapists being the Professional Board for Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Biokinetics. They are often required to be trained in advanced life support for emergencies in their departments and private practices

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Physical Therapy Education In India

In India, universities offer Diploma, Bachelor's, Masters and also PhD in Physiotherapy. Diploma course is usually 3 years and the enrollment has reduced since the introduction of Bachelors in Physiotherapy  in the early 1990s in India. Most students with Diploma has opted for lateral entry to Bachelor programme.

Bachelor in Physiotherapy is a 4-year undergraduate program in physiotherapy with 6 months of mandatory clinical internship; that is typically rotatory. They have almost similar subjects like graduation course in developed countries and can practice either with Physician or independently. However, due to lack of National Council the syllabus of BPT varies from state to state in the country.

After the graduation Physiotherapist  could go for further specialization in Cardiovascular & pulmonary physiotherapy , Neurology, Musculoskeletal, Hands, Sports, Obs-Gynaecology, or undertake Research.

PTs in India use the title 'Doctor' and prefix it before their name with a suffix P.T. (Physiotherapist) so as to make their stand clear they are not medical doctors. However, the use of the title 'Dr' according to the IAP (Indian Association of Physiotherapist) is by tradition and convention and is used in the same manner as it is used by the MBBS/MS/BDS/MDS/BHMS/BAMS/BNYS/BUMS degree holders. PTs argue that they are not breaching any law prevailing in India as legally only one who has earned a degree in MD/DM or Phd is justified to use and prefix the 'Doctor' title.

There are well over 250 colleges offering undergraduate program in physiotherapy  and more than 50 colleges offering masters in Physiotherapy  with two years' duration. MUHS (Maharashtra) and some other universities in India run a 3-year MPT postgraduate degree. PhD in Physiotherapy is also offered in some selected universities of the states Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and Delhi.

A.M.U. Aligarh started Diploma in Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation very early but they did not upgrade it yet.

Jamia Hamdard took the lead in starting Post-Graduate course in Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy in North India in 1998. The courses were very well received and are in great demand. The Faculty receives help and active support from the renowned hospitals in Delhi for training the students, besides utilizing Majeedia Hospital. The Jamia is in the process of constructing a separate building for the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences with the help of generous grant from the UGC. The Faculty offers Masters and Bachelors programmes of study in Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy.

Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya Institute for the Physically Handicapped is an autonomous organization under the administrative and financial control of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India. The Institute for the Physically Handicapped came into being when the erstwhile Jawahar Lal Nehru Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and other allied institution run by the council for the Aid of crippled and handicapped were taken over by the Government of India on 22 May 1975 and converted into an autonomous body in the year 1976. It was renamed after Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya in the year 2002. The institute provides Bachelor of Physical Therapy, Bachelor of Occupational Therapy and Bachelor of Prosthetics & Orthotics, 4 ½ years duration course in affiliation with University of Delhi.

The Amar Jyoti Institute of Physiotherapy (affiliated to University of Delhi) opened its doors to the first batch of students in the year 1999, with an aim to serve health-care needs of the community through education and training of Physiotherapy practitioners. The mission of the Institute is to: "Provide leadership, management and resources for the advancement of education, scholarship, public service, and the practice of physiotherapy" The B.Sc. (H) Physiotherapy degree course at Amar Jyoti is especially designed to produce graduates who will be competent and confident physiotherapy practitioners who will be able to provide evidence-based physiotherapy to their patients and community at large.

All India Institute of Medical Sciences,Singhania University, Jamia Millia Islamia and many other universities are offering PhD in Physiotherapy.

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