Physiotherapists are considered a vital part of the health care system all over the world. In countries such as the U.K, the U.S, Canada and Australia, Physiotherapists are given a regulatory status that provides them independence and autonomy to practice.
The situation is very different in India. There are about 250 colleges of physiotherapy in the country offering undergraduate BPT of 4.5 years duration. The postgraduate course of two years duration is of fered in more than 50 colleges, and Ph.D is offered in the subject in a good number of institutions in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Specialties in physiotherapy exist in the following areas: Cardio Respiratory Conditions, Neurology, Orthopedics, Hand Rehabilitation, Community Medicine, Sports, Women’s Health, Child Health, Mobilisation and Manipulation, and Cancer Management.
But, Physiotherapists have not been given the due recognition in the country as yet. All they look for is recognition as professionals and not technicians.
The Indian Association of Physiotherapists (IAP) resents the presence of the terms “Medically Directed” in the definition of Physiotherapy proposed in the Bill for formation of an exclusive Council for the profession. The Bill was taken up for review and corrections by the Parliamentary Committee for Health in 2008.
The words “Medically Directed”, the IAP contends, will reduce the scope of the independence of physiotherapists in decision-making during the course of clinical practice.
According to the World Confederation for p\Physical Therapy (WCPT), a body that represents WHO, Physical Therapists operate as independent practitioners. “They can act as first contact practitioners, and patients/ clients could seek their services without referral from another health care professional.”
As per the Delhi Council for Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Act, Physiotherapy means physiotherapeutic system of medicine that involves examination and treatment of patients. Physiotherapists can provide advice and instruction to the patients. Likewise, according to the Maharashtra State Council for Occupational therapy and Physiotherapy Act, Physiotherapy means a branch of modern medical science.
The IPA wishes that the chairman, Wice-chairman and members in the proposed Council for Physiotherapy be nominated from the list of members in the registry of physiotherapy.
Ina a letter to the Center last year, the WCPT representing over 100 member organizations expressed its support to the proposed changes to the Paramedical and Physiotherapy Central Councils Bill – 2007. The WCPT has also called for a provision to ensure that the chairman and vice-chairman of the proposed Council have the relevant background and knowledge of the profession. It also insisted that separate councils must be established for regulation of physiotherapy and occupational therapies, describing them as two separate professions. Members of the two professions work collegially in the best interests of the patients. However, their scope of practice and education and practice standards are distinct, the WCPT secretary general, Brena J Myers, said.
In fact, the neglect of the profession has reflected in the inadequacy of facilities in the government physiotherapy colleges in Tiruchi and Chennai.
Scores of high-scoring students who had chosen physiotherapy programme as a matter of choice next only to medicine and dentistry experience misery in the absence of adequate number of qualified teachers and basic laboratory facilities.
Millions of patients, a majority in rural arêtes, suffer due to absence of physiotherapy treatment. Treatment for cerebral palsy, in particular, can be offered comprehensively only through physiotherapy.
The IAP insists that provision of effective physiotherapy treatment is possible only if the subject is considered as one of the systems of medicine.
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