Madhav's Blog

Being a physiotherapist in India is no easy feat. The absence of a centralized governing body has created a fragmented system where inconsistencies thrive. From varied degree names like BPT and B.Sc. Physiotherapy to confusion about course durations, the education system itself presents a major challenge. These differences leave students unsure about degree recognition and, more importantly, the quality of training they receive.

In this blog, we’ll explore the key problems in India’s physiotherapy education and internship systems, along with how we can improve them for a brighter future for the profession.

The Flaws in Physiotherapy Education

One of the most significant issues in physiotherapy education is the inclusion of irrelevant subjects. Take pharmacology, for instance—while understanding how drugs affect muscles and joints is essential, physiotherapists can’t prescribe medications. So why delve into dosages, side effects, and drug interactions? Similarly, subjects like pathology, diagnostics, and medical management are more suited to primary care physicians, not physiotherapists.

Microbiology and biochemistry are important for understanding body systems, but excessive focus on molecular structures and lab techniques goes beyond what physiotherapists need to know. Even in obstetrics and gynecology, physiotherapists aren’t involved in childbirth or pregnancy management. The focus should shift to pelvic floor rehabilitation, postnatal exercises, and pregnancy-related physiotherapy instead of unrelated gynecological diseases.

We also need to modernize the curriculum by eliminating outdated techniques like Shortwave Diathermy (SWD), which holds minimal clinical relevance today. We’re physiotherapists, not engineers, and our training should reflect that.

The Chaos in Internships and Placements

Alongside the education system, the internship and placement systems are disorganized. Many physiotherapy colleges across India lack structured internship programs, leaving students to find their own placements. When internships are available, they often serve as a formality, offering minimal hands-on experience. Government hospitals have limited internship slots, and private clinics rarely provide sufficient exposure to diverse fields like sports physiotherapy, neurological rehabilitation, and geriatrics.

Placement support is another significant gap. Most colleges do not assist fresh graduates in securing jobs, leaving many physiotherapists entering the workforce with little practical experience. With low starting salaries and most income funneled to senior physiotherapists, the profession is undervalued. This financial struggle discourages newcomers and makes it hard to see physiotherapy as a rewarding career.

Internships should be structured and rotate through specialties to expose students to various career paths within physiotherapy.

Proposed Solutions

The path forward requires a few strategic changes:

1. Nationalized Exam: Introduce a national exam (similar to the NEXT for MBBS) to standardize and ensure a baseline of knowledge and skills across all physiotherapists.
2. Centralized Governing Body: A central body overseeing education, curriculum, and licensing will streamline the system and ensure quality control.
3. Updated Curriculum: Focus on practical physiotherapy skills:
   • Replace irrelevant medical subjects with training in sports physiotherapy, neurophysiotherapy, and geriatrics.
   • Introduce early clinical exposure to prepare students for real-world patient care.
4. Structured Internships: Develop structured internships across hospitals, rehab centers, and sports clinics to offer hands-on experience. Regular feedback from mentors will ensure continuous growth.
5. Placement Support: Colleges should collaborate with hospitals, wellness programs, and rehabilitation centers to offer solid placement support. A government-run physiotherapy job portal can simplify job searches.
6. Exposure to Specializations: Internships should rotate students through specialties, offering a comprehensive understanding of different physiotherapy fields.

Conclusion

Conclusion
The lack of proper reforms in physiotherapy education and internships in India is driving skilled professionals abroad, contributing to the brain drain. To change this, we need immediate action—starting with a national exam, a centralized governing body, and a modernized curriculum. By improving internships and placements, we can keep talent in India and elevate physiotherapy to the respected profession it deserves to be.

The time to act is now—let’s create a future where physiotherapists thrive in India!

I’ll be back on your screens with exciting content in my next blog! Until then, keep that curiosity alive.

Regards,

Madhav