India
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Introduction[edit | edit source]
India, a South Asian country, is a federation with a parliamentary system governed under the Constitution of India.
Physiotherapy in India is considered under Allied and Health Professionals, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Patient Access to Physiotherapy or Physical Therapy Services / Entry Point[edit | edit source]
- How do members of this country access Physical Therapy services?
- What is the entry point or typical path the patient must follow in order to receive services?
- Do PT's have direct access or are they part of a primary care team?
Therapist Preparation[edit | edit source]
Degree/Credentialing:[edit | edit source]
In India, there is just one programme after the completion of the 10+2 examinations with physics, chemistry and biology as included subjects. Entry to the Physiotherapy programme is through National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) which is scheduled once a year pan-India.
An individual has to grauduate with a Bachelor in Physiotherapy (BPTh) to be considered a physiotherapist in India.
The B.P.T (Bachelor in Physiotherapy) is a full-time course of 4 years + 6 month internship offered across the country in a number of private and government medical colleges.
Following their BPTh/BPT, those who wish to specialize in a particular field can opt to pursue their Masters' (MPT) which is a full-time- 2 year course (Thesis oriented). They have to clear a Common Entrance Test (CET) to be start the Masters' programme. The CET is conducted state-wise or University wise in case of private universities.
Specialization:[edit | edit source]
They can specialize in:
- Pediatrics Physiotherapy
- Women's Health and Obstetrics Physiotherapy
- Sports Physiotherapy
- Neurological Physiotherapy
- Orthopedic/ Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
- Geriatrics Physiotherapy
- Cardiovascular Physiotherapy
- Community Physiotherapy
They also may choose to pursue the Ph.D in Physiotherapy.
All courses include a mandatory supervised practice component in a clinical setting.
The learning goals and objectives of the undergraduate and graduate education program have been based on the performance expectations and are divided into nine key areas so that the curriculum is standardised in the country:
- Clinical care
- Communication
- Membership of a multidisciplinary health team
- Ethics and accountability at all levels (clinical, professional, personal and social)
- Commitment to professional excellence
- Leadership and mentorship
- Social accountability and responsibility
- Scientific attitude and scholarship (only at higher level- PhD)
- lifelong learning
Professional Associations[edit | edit source]
What are the professional associations associated with Physiotherapy or Physial Therapy in this country?[edit | edit source]
Information about the Patient Community[edit | edit source]
- What is the population these PT’s serve?
- What are the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the population served?
Social/Cultural Influences[edit | edit source]
- What is the influence of the family on a patient's health status?
- What are the typical patient's living conditions, family dynamics, and cultural back ground?
Delivery of Care[edit | edit source]
- Is delivery of care provided in a timely manner?
- Special methods? Home health etc
Type of Health System[edit | edit source]
- Is it a national health system with universal access?
Payment System[edit | edit source]
- What methods to patient use to pay for service? (Insurance, bartering etc.)
