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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

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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