If you are someone who is considering to become an physiotherapist then this article will surely help you gain sight into the perks and challenges of this profession.
Physiotherapy is one of the various healthcare professions. It is mainly concerned with restoring the movement or function of people suffering from various conditions. A physiotherapist is trained to assess, diagnose, and manage/treat patients through a variety of rehabilitative techniques. Over the past years, the popularity of this field has increased manifolds and more avenues are opening for professionals in this field.
Coming to the topic, you must first understand that every profession has its advantages and unique set of challenges, and physiotherapy is also one of them. However, be rest assured that the pros of being a physiotherapist outnumber the cons.
Let us look at the bright side first of being a physiotherapist!
1. Job Satisfaction
This is undeniably the best pro of being a physiotherapist. There is no dull day in this profession. Every day you meet new patients and experience new things.
Seeing your patient getting better everyday with your treatment gives another level of satisfaction. You are in a position to help others and adding life to their days!
2. Options of Work Environment
As a physiotherapist, you will never be confined to a single work setting. You can work at:
- Hospitals (IPD and OPD)
- Clinics
- Rehabilitation Centers
- Schools and colleges
- MNCs
- Nursing Homes
- Gyms/ Fitness Centers
- Home visits
- Sports Centers
You can also start your private practice, and work according to your schedule and also be a consulting physiotherapist at the hospital alongside. If you go into sports physiotherapy you also get the opportunity of traveling with your team.
3. Entrepreneurial Options
This is another popular option nowadays. If you have the capital and a good clientele you can always set up your clinic.
It is advisable that you gain experience first through working in hospitals, clinics, or rehab centers, make contacts in the field, and work on building a rapport with patients. All of this will help to build a good name for your business.
4. High Demand
The demand for physiotherapy has grown rapidly in recent years with the increase in public awareness and advancements in the field.
Physiotherapy is getting recognition as an integral part of recovery and rehabilitation. Now, almost every healthcare setting has a physiotherapy department which means more jobs and opportunities to explore.
5. Recognized Degree
The degree of physiotherapy is recognized worldwide which adds to your options of career pursuit. Many countries have a high demand for skilled physiotherapists and offer good pay with perks.
6. Learning Opportunities
Learning never stops in this field. Once you have completed your graduation or even post-graduation does not necessarily mean that you have learnt everything. Advancements are made every day and you have to keep up with them.
There are many courses, workshops, and CMEs which you should keep attending so that keep you are updated and follow the evidence-based practice. This will prove to be beneficial in your career growth.
7. Earn Respect as a Physiotherapist
Physiotherapy is a highly respectable profession. A physiotherapist works with the whole body and its systems and has knowledge of body functioning. Physiotherapists are incredibly knowledgeable and highly skilled professionals, and the fact that they have the ability to improve the quality of life of their patients earns them an immense amount of respect from society.
Now coming to some not so good aspects of being a Physiotherapist:
1. Work-Life Balance
Physiotherapy is a demanding profession both physically & mentally. If you are employed in a hospital setting, you will be on your feet for most of the day. Between in-patients and OPD patients, therapists get a very little break to catch up with their breath.
2. Physical Requirements of a Physiotherapist
It goes without saying that you have to be fit to fulfill your responsibilities as a physiotherapist. It is required as you will be handling a lot of patients of every age, height, and weight group, using machines and equipment, performing manual therapy, and demonstrating exercises.
As a therapist, you must be able to perform the exercises that you expect your patient to do. If you are physically and mentally fit, it motivates your patient as well to achieve the same.
3. Difficult Patients
As a physiotherapist, you will encounter many patients and not all of them will be polite and compliant. You need to be prepared for that and practice a lot of patience with these patients.
4. Emotional & Mental strain
Every healthcare profession is stressful to some degree. Your emotional or mental health can take a toll while working and dealing with different kinds of patients, seeing them in pain, not seeing much improvement in the patient, unsupportive relatives/caretakers, or the death of a patient.
However, believe in yourself and try to understand the situation rationally. Also, there is no harm in taking a break once in a while.
5. Unrealistic Expectations
Sometimes you will encounter patients and relatives who expect to see results within few days even in severe illnesses and get upset if that does not happen.
They may even consider you incompetent, but you need to use your communication skills here to explain clearly the rehab process and prognosis.
6. Average starting package of a Physiotherapist
This is with respect to India. If you are freshly out of college do not expect a great starting package. Although it depends on the hiring organization, the role you are offered, and to some extent on your knowledge, still the starting package will be around 2-4 lakhs per annum. The average salary a physiotherapist makes in India is roughly around 25 thousand rupees per month.
Nevertheless, it does not matter where you start, you can reach up to great heights if you keep learning and gaining experience. Remember, knowledge and good communication skills go a long way in this field.
Physiotherapy is a demanding and equally rewarding profession. If you plan to pursue physiotherapy as a career keep in mind that you have to love the job profile and not just the perks. Just keep learning and adding to your skill-set throughout your career.
Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_therapy
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/physiotherapist
