FUTURE OF PHYSIOTHERAPIST

INTRODUCTION :

Physical Therapy or Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession, in which Physical Therapist provides treatment to individuals for developing, maintaining and restoring the maximum functional capacity throughout life. The role of physical therapy to improve functionality in circumstances where movement and function are affected by aging, injury, disease or environmental factors. Physical Therapy includes physical, psychological, emotional and social well-being.  In physical therapy interaction between physical  therapist  (PT),  patients/clients,  other  health professionals,  families,  care  givers,  and  communities is important to assess  functional potential and  goals are  set by using  knowledge  and  skills  that  are  specific  to  physical therapist.

Human movement is considered as central to the health and well-being of individuals in Physical therapy profession.  There  lot  of  skills  that  are  used  to  treat  the  movement  disorders includes, manual therapy, exercise therapy and the application of  funds, of  electrotherapy.  Work  area  for  physiotherapists  are Outpatient departments Intensive care unit, Women's health, geriatric health,  Orthopedics,  Occupational  health,  terminally  ill  Pediatrics, Neurological rehabilitation.

Physiotherapists are needed in virtually every department, from general out-patients to intensive care, where round-the-clock chest physiotherapy can be vital to keep unconscious patients breathing.  There is also a need for physiotherapists in many other places like Industry, Special schools, Leisure and sport 8 clubs.  Nowadays, more and more physiotherapists work in the community as treatment and advice for patients in their own homes in nursing homes or day centers, in schools and in health centers.  The personal qualities needed for this gratifying role are tolerance, patience, compassion, and good communication skills. Pakistan is a developing country here most of the health care fields are under the process of development. Physical therapy is amongst one of the neglected health care fields in Pakistan due to lack of resources. In this field there are lack of educational and job  opportunities  and  no  better  future   prospects .Unfortunately,  there  is  no  central  regulating  authority  in Pakistan like there is for other health care professions such as; Pakistan Medical  & Dental  College (PM&DC). In spite of that local societies  and associations  like  Pakistan physical  therapy association (PPTA) Pakistan physiotherapy society (PPS),  and charted society of Physical therapy  (CSP)  are working for their professional  growth  and development in  the  country.  These organizations have their own limitations due to lack of funds, proper leadership, and coordination among the professionals and associations.

Imperative commitments are needed by the government and all the other stakeholders to uplift the field of physiotherapy, save the future of Pakistani physiotherapists and open new vistas for international cooperation.