Physiotherapy plays an important role in helping patients who have sustained injury, through accident or illness, to regain or improve the use of their limbs. Madam Chan Sook Chin, Head of the Physiotherapy Programme at MAHSA College, explains what it involves and how to qualify as a practitioner.

 

Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession responsible for the rehabilitation of patients with neurological, cardio-respiratory and musculoskeletal disorders. It emphasises the use of a physical approach in the promotion, restoration and maintenance of movement and functional ability of people from all age groups.

 

In Malaysia, physiotherapy began with a small number of foreign physiotherapists in the 1950s. It was not until the 1960s and early 1970s that local physiotherapy graduates who came back from Australia, New Zealand and England saw a small growth in the number of physiotherapists serving in major hospitals within Malaysia. By 1975, recognising the need for professionals in this area of healthcare, Malaysia's Ministry of Health established a local diploma course in physiotherapy at Hospital Kuala Lumpur. 

 

In the last two decades, as physiotherapy services became more accessible to people, the profession has also slowly but surely gained public recognition. Currently, there are approximately 1,000 physiotherapists working both in public and private hospitals. They can also be found in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) serving as volunteers. 

 

Physiotherapists assess and determine patients' physical problems, plan their treatment programmes and carry out reassessment. The core skills of the physiotherapists include manual therapy, therapeutic exercises and the application of electrotherapeutic modalities such as heat, cold, electrical stimulation, etc. To be able to work efficiently, effectively and provide patients with the best level of care possible, they must be knowledgeable and skilful.

 

The work of physiotherapists is never boring because they meet people from various cultural and educational backgrounds every day. Depending on the number of patients they treat in a day, a physiotherapist’s work can be quite hectic. It is all worth it, though, as the greatest achievement for a physiotherapist is when their patients recover fully and gain the ability to move independently. 

 

Like any other health care professional, physiotherapists require formal education and training before they are allowed to practise. They work independently and are able to exercise their own judgment and make decisions with regards to their patients’ health condition. 

 

In Malaysia, most physiotherapists have a diploma in physiotherapy in order to carry out their practice. There are also many who have completed their degree either locally or overseas. Upon completion of the course, the physiotherapists are able to seek employment. Unlike overseas – where physiotherapists need to be registered with a professional body, adhering to a strict ethical code of practice – physiotherapists in Malaysia currently are not mandated to register with the Malaysian Physiotherapy Association nor are they required to sit for any licensing exams.

 

In a typical three-year diploma course, students will be trained in both the theoretical and practical aspects of physiotherapy. Emphasis is given to hands-on techniques which will cover manual skills, electrotherapy and exercise therapy. The course is also designed to provide students with a strong foundation in basic sciences, including anatomy, physiology, behavioural science, pathology and kinesiology in the first year. 

 

As the students move on into the second year, they will learn about the application of physiotherapy in cardio-respiratory, musculoskeletal and neurological systems among others. In the final year, students will be taught the management aspect, which includes physiotherapy management of specific groups of patients - women’s health, paediatric, geriatric, occupational health and sports.

 

Clinical education is an important part of the physiotherapy programme. It focuses on the development of clinical reasoning and diagnostic skills. In the second semester of their second year, students are given a choice of completing their compulsory clinical placement in a public or private hospital.

 

During this stint, they will be guided by professionals in the industry in the how–to's of managing patients with cardio-respiratory and musculoskeletal problems. Students' clinical education will continue in the first semester of their final year., They will learn to manage patients with neurological problems as well as further develop their knowledge of women’s health and how to handle paediatric patients.

 

Physiotherapy is a very physically 'hands-on' career. Physiotherapists must possess the personal qualities of tolerance, patience and compassion. They are also required to possess good communication and interpersonal skills, and be able to work with others. In adhering to the rules of professional conduct, they must be honest, ethical and strive to ensure that the welfare of their patients is well taken care of. 

 

The Malaysian population is increasing with each passing year. On top of that, with the advancement of medical technology, life expectancy has also seen a steady increase. With an ageing population, the demand for physiotherapists is thus expected to grow as well. 

 

Many physiotherapists work within hospitals and are needed in virtually every department, from the general outpatient clinic to the intensive care unit, where round-the-clock chest physiotherapy can be vital to keep unconscious patients breathing.

 

The following are just a few of the areas physiotherapists work in:

Once physiotherapists have some clinical experience, they can choose to specialise in one or more of the abovementioned areas. They can also go into research or teaching, pursue promotions to more senior physiotherapist positions or move into health service management. There is also a demand for physiotherapists in other areas of work: