Physiotherapy

Introduction
Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession which provides services to individuals and population to maintain and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout their lifespan. This includes providing services in circumstances where movement and function are threatened by aging, injury, disease or environmental factors. Functional movement is central to be healthy. Physiotherapy is concerned with identifying and maximizing quality of life and movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, treatment or intervention, habilitation and rehabilitation. This encompasses physical, psychological, emotional, and social well being. Physiotherapy also involves the interaction between physiotherapists, patients, other health professionals, families, care givers and communities in a process where movement potential is assessed and goals are agreed upon, using knowledge and skills unique to physiotherapists. Physiotherapy has many specialties including cardiopulmonary, geriatrics, neurological, orthopaedic and paediatrics to name some of the more common areas. Physiotherapists practice in many settings, such as outpatient clinics or offices, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, extended care facilities, private homes, education and research centers, schools, hospices, industrial work places or other occupational environments, fitness centers and sports training facilities. The core skills of the physiotherapists include manual therapy, therapeutic exercises and the application of electrotherapeutic modalities such as heat, cold, electrical stimulation etc. Like all other health professionals, physiotherapists required a formal education and training before they are allowed to practice. They work independently and able to exercise their judgment and make decision regarding their patients. They are regulated by a professional body and must adhere to an ethical code of practice. With the increase in population as well as an increase in the life expectancy of the regular Malaysian coupled with the growth in the number of hospitals built, the demand for physiotherapists is expected to further increase.

Future Plans
Our future plans included the development of new courses to provide the physiotherapy practitioners with the knowledge and skills in specialisation. We have developed the Advanced Musculoskeletal Post Graduate Certificate which is waiting to be approved at the MQA level. This programs aims to provide physiotherapists with more scientific knowledge and emphasis given for evidence based practice. This will help physiotherapists who wish to specialise in Musculoskeletal physitherapy. We also plan to conduct many short courses in the years ahead to help our graduates to keep abreast with the new development in physiotherapy and to encourage research oriented physiotheraists. We have also submitted our home grown degree program which covers some aspects of the expanded and extended role of physiotherapists.

Program Outline
Physiotherapy Diploma | KPT/JPS(KA6146)05/15 Year 1 Anatomy and Physiology I & II Applied Anatomy Pathology Behavioral Science I & II Kinesiology I & II Musculoskeletal I Electrotherapy I Movement Introduction to Healthcare I

Year 2 Musculoskeletal II & III Cardio-respiratory I & II Electrotherapy II Neurology I & II Introduction to Healthcare II LAN subjects Elective Placement Clinical Practice I

Year 3 Neurology III Paediatric Womens Health

Sports Occupational Health Geriatric Introduction to Healthcare III Clinical Practice II & III

Degree | KPT/JPS(KA7979)01/13 Year 1 Foundations of Physiotherapy Essentials of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Therapeutic skills with Clinical Practice Professional information and Communication Skills Essentials of Cardio-Respiratory Physiotherapy

Year 2 Essentials of Neurology Physiotherapy Assessment and Reasoning Physiotherapy Practice Theoretical Principles of Physiotherapy Skills Applied Physiotherapy Skills

Year 3 Development of Core Skills Evidencing practice with clinical Practice Concolidating Physiotherapy Management Decision Making in Physiotherapy Practice

Year 4 Project Proposal Contextual Issues in Health and Social Care Developing Effective Clinical Practice

Career Prospects Physiotherapy Diploma / Degree

Physiotherapy offers a range of exciting career opprtunities. The most obvious for the diploma students will include continuing the education to obtain a degree locally and abroad. MAHSA University College offers a excellent degree program 4+0 by Northumbria University conducted entirely in MAHSA University College. Other opportunities on completion of the diploma and degree programme can lead to a career in government and private hospitals, private clinics, spine and joints centres, community and rehabilitation centres, disable children homes, nursing homes, health institutions (fitness and wellness centres), equipment companies and sports physiotherapy clinics. The physiotherapy graduates of MAHSA University College are able to gain emplyment not only in Malaysia but also in Singapore. Those graduates who are employed in Sinagpore have good result, possess good communication and interpersonal skills, able to solve problems and work independently.

Physiotherapy
1. What do physiotherapists do? Physiotherapists assess, determine the patient / clients physical problems, plan the treatment and carry out reassessment. The work is never boring because the physiotherapists meet different people with different cultural and educational backgrounds. The physiotherapists can be busy depending on the number of patients / clients they are treating. 2. What are the challenges a physiotherapist face? The clinical situation is very complex hence physiotherapists have to be equipped with knowledge and skills. They have to work efficiently and effectively. As society is more affluent, clients have higher expectations and physiotherapists are required to update their knowledge and skills continuously.

3. What are the qualifications for physiotherapists to practice? In Malaysia, most physiotherapists have a Diploma in Physiotherapy in order to practice. However, there are many who have completed their degree either locally or overseas and some had post graduate qualifications. Upon completion of the course, the physiotherapists are able to seek employment. Currently, it is not mandatory for physiotherapists to register with the Malaysian Physiotherapy Association and they are neither required to sit for a licensing exam. 4. What subjects are covered in a physiotherapy course? Throughout the years of study in both the diploma and degree program, students will learn both theory and practice in physiotherapy. Emphasis is given to hands on techniques covering manual skills, electrotherapy and exercise therapy. The course is also designed to provide students with a strong foundation in basic sciences which includes anatomy, physiology, behavioral science and movement science. The application of physiotherapy in cardio-respiratory, musculoskeletal and neurological systems are included and covers physiotherapy management of specific groups of patients which include womens health, paediatric, geriatric, occupational health and sports. For the degree course, research component is added and students are required to learn the techniques of enquiry. The students of degree program are expected to develop and demonstrated competency and follow evidence based practice. 5. Will the students get sufficient clinical exposure? Clinical education is an important part of the physiotherapy programme. It focuses on developing clinical reasoning and diagnostic skills. More than 1000 clinical hours are given for both the diploma and degree programs, students are sent to the hospitals in both public and private to gain their clinical experience. 6. What professional quality a physiotherapist must possess? Physiotherapy is a hands on, physical career in every sense. They must possess the personal qualities of tolerance, patience and compassion. They are also required to possess good communication and interpersonal skills. They must be able to work with others and possess a caring attitude. They have to practice according to the rules of professional conduct include honesty, ethical behavior and must always placed the clients welfare first. 7. Where do physiotherapists work? Many physiotherapists work within the hospitals. They are needed in virtually every department, from general out-patients to intensive care. The following are just a few of the areas in the hospital where physiotherapists work: Physiotherapy outpatient department Intensive care Womens health Care of the elderly

Orthopaedic wards Medical wards Paediatrics Surgical wards Physiotherapists not only work in the hospital, there is also a need for physiotherapists in many other places. These places are: Special schools Industry Occupational Health The private sector (for example, private practice) Education Leisure & sport Nursing homes Health centres Sports clubs 8. What are the career prospects for physiotherapists? Once the physiotherapists have some clinical experience they could specialize in any one of a range of areas, such as musculoskeletal, sports physiotherapy, cardiac rehabilitation, womens health or working with older people. They can go into research or teaching, or gain promotion to a more senior physiotherapy post. They could also move into health service management. They can become entrepreneurs, setting up clinics or sale of physiotherapeutic equipments. 9. How is the employment opportunity and how much a newly graduate earned? The employment opportunity is good; there is a demand of physiotherapists in the country. The pay varies from hospital to hospital. Some of our graduates even choose to be freelance, they work as community physiotherapists earning much more and work flexi hours. The degree students are paid a higher salary.