Physical Therapy(Past, Present and Future)

Dr. Asghar KhanDirector/Associate Professor

Riphah College of Rehabilitation Sciences(RCRS)Riphah International University Islamabad

History The earliest

documented origins of physiotherapy (physical therapy) as a professional group date back to Per Henrik Ling, “Father of Swedish Gymnastics,” who founded the Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics (RCIG) in 1813 for massage, manipulation, and exercise.

http://www.chiropractorswarwick.co.uk/index.php/about-chiropractors-warwick/a-history-of-neuromusculoskeletal-healthcare/a-history-of-physiotherapy-physical-therapy/

Physical Therapy or Physiotherapy?

A health care profession deals with movement dysfunctions threatened by aging, injury, disease or environmental factors by all physical means.

First Physical Therapy School

Established in 1955 with the help of WHO by ministry of health and social welfare in JPMC Karachi.

Initiated by Governor General of Pakistan Ghulam Muhammad

First Principal madam zulikha Subhani.First program 2 years diploma and 4 years

later upgraded to 3 years diploma.

Physical Therapy Education-1955 to 1999Eligibility: Secondary school certificate (10

years of schooling)2 years diploma after secondary school- 19553 years diploma-1961Eligibility: FSc(Pre-medical,12 years of

schooling)3 years degree(BSc-PT) affiliated with

Karachi university-19634 years degree(BS,PT) affiliated with Karachi

university-1999

Physical Therapy entry level degree in Pakistan-started 2007.Program: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Duration: 5 years 17 years of schooling, entry level professional Degree

recognized by Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC)

Level: Graduate

Eligibility: F.Sc (pre-Medical) minimum 50 %

unadjusted marksCourse: Semester Based (10-

Semesters)Internship: One year

First Batch of DPTThe First batch

of Doctor of Physical Therapy(DPT) at Riphah Started spring 2008

40 students enrolled in the program

Graduating fall 2012.

Career scope

Physical Therapists are highly in demand nationally and internationally.

Job opportunities in hospitals ,private clinics, rehabilitation centers, academic institutions and research centers.

Highly in demand internationally especially in UAE, UK and USA

Doctor of Physical Therapy(DPT)Curriculum committee of HEC11 senior

members (including HEC officials )from all over the country

Public sector: 6

Private sector: 5

Riphah Contribution100-Riphah graduates with PP-DPT (M.Phil

Equivalency awarded by HEC) serving the country educational institutes and hospitals.

Awarded the Dr.title for Physical Therapy professionals

Introduced the innovative programs (DPT, PP-DPT, MS-OMPT and MS-SLP)

Honored the physical therapy professionals for the first time in the country with academic titles Asst.Professors and Associate Professor up to Professor.

Recognized physical therapists as Rehab professionals with respect and dignity

Enormous financial support for the Physical Therapists national organization and workshops

Physical Therapist / Physiotherapist

Member of a health care team provide services that help to:

Restore function Improve mobility Relieve pain, and Prevent or limit

permanent physical disabilities.

Physical Therapy Specialties

Orthopedic Manual Physical TherapyNeuromuscular Physical TherapyGeriatric Physical TherapyPediatric Physical TherapySports Physical TherapyGender health care (women’s health)Fitness and Wellness

Continuing Professional Development Courses(CPDs)

Physical Therapy In Emergency CareResearch Methodology &Article WritingEvidence based Manual Therapy SeriesCardiac RehabilitationNeuromuscular Physical Therapy

Continuing Professional Development Courses(CPDs)

Physical Therapists Efforts for uplifting the profession

Vision for Physical Therapists by American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)Physical therapy, by 2020, will be provided by

physical therapists who are doctors of physical therapy and who may be board-certified specialists. Consumers will have direct access to physical therapists in all environments for patient/client management, prevention, and wellness services. Physical therapists will be practitioners of choice in patients'/clients' health networks and will hold all privileges of autonomous practice. Physical therapists may be assisted by physical therapist assistants who are educated and licensed to provide physical therapist directed and supervised components of interventions.

Physical Therapists with the special kids

Physical Therapists and PWDsMain focus in physical disabilities: posture

correction, improve moblity,deformity and contracture prevention or corection,balance and coordination improvement,increse muscle strength, endurance and pain relief.

These are all physical issues and only physical intervention can help and physical therapists have the unique knowledge and skills to provide physical intervention for all those problems.

So to empower PWDs ,we also have to empower Physical Therapists in terms of professional autonomy and job service structure .

Recommendations:

Pakistan physical therapy CouncilUnified service structure in the countryMeasures for quality educationJob Opportunities in hospitals and other

institutes of rehabilitations on the district and subdivision level in the country so all citizens could have access to the physical therapy care

Thanks