Physical Therapy as a Profession. Education Introductory Discussion: Why did you choose physiotherapy as your major? What is the most exciting thing about your profession? What is the most difficult thing about your profession? Why do you think physiotherapy is important? Where would you like to work after graduation? Reading Before reading: Vocabulary: Match the words to their definitions: incapacitated a sudden loss of brain function caused by a blockage of a blood vessel stroke a procedure involving removing, repairing, or replacing a body part treadmill not having enough strength or power; "lying ill and helpless" surgery restore to good health or useful life rehabilitate an exercise machine for running or walking Find the synonyms to the following words in the text: ordinary – machine – disease – get better – movement - Career Profile A physical therapist (PT) is a health professional helping to rehabilitate a patient while recovering from surgery, or a patient who has been injured or incapacitated in some way by an accident, illness or stroke. A physical therapist may see patients in a medical office or hospital setting. Physical therapy ranges from short-term to long-term depending on how serious the patient’s condition is. For example, a patient who has had a relatively routine knee surgery may need a few sessions of physical therapy to get his or her knee back to its full range of motion. On the other hand, a more seriously injured patient may require months of physical therapy just to gain the strength and range of motion needed to stand and walk. Typical Work Load and Work Environment: Physical therapists may see patients in a medical office, such as an orthopedic surgery practice, or hospital setting. Typically a patient will be referred to a physical therapist by a physician, who prescribes the physical therapy treatment and follows up to assess the patient’s progress regularly after one or more courses of therapy. A physical therapy room is equipped with a variety of apparatus, used to rehabilitate patients. This may include weights, mats, and treadmills where PT’s can perform a variety of exercises with the patients to improve motor skills, sensory perception, and muscle strength. http://healthcareers.about.com/od/alliedmedicalprofiles/p/PhysicalTherpst.htm After reading: Find the following information in the text: - who does a PT help? - where does a PT usually work? - what equipment does a PT room normally have? - how does exercise help patients in rehabilitation? Required Skills for Physical Therapists: Discussion point: In your opinion, which skills should a physical therapist have? Video Before watching: Vocabulary: Compassionate- understanding and caring about someone who is in a bad situation Fragile- easy to break or damage Humanitarianism-based on the similarity to the word used in Czech, can you explain the meaning? Disabled-the one who is unable to use a part of their body Vital-very important, necessary Watch the video and prepare to answer the following questions: Which chronical disease is mentioned in the video? Why should a PT be in a good physical condition? Which administrative tasks should a PT do? Watch again and fill in the gaps: Physiotherapists combine __________, medicine and humanitarianism to teach patients how to help themselves. They play a vital role in helping _______ victims and the disabled recover from injuries. Because of the fragile ________ _______ of many of their patients, PT must be compassionate and _________ when working with others. A career in physiotherapy offers specialization in particular areas such as pediatrics, _______ _______ or urology. Reading Education Educational qualifications for Physiotherapy vary somewhat internationally. Some countries require relatively little formal education while others require specialist masters and doctoral degrees. In the United States, training in physical therapy culminates in either a Master’s degree or a doctor of physical therapy (MSPT, or DPT) from an accredited physical therapy program. Physical therapist education includes clinical internships. All states also require physical therapists to pass the National Physical Therapy Examination before they can practice. Each state regulates licenses for physical therapists independently. In the United Kingdom in order to qualify, students are required to complete 1000 hours of clinically based learning: this typically takes place in the final two years; however, some courses also have clinical placement in the first year. Thirty-five universities train physiotherapists in the UK. The majority of physiotherapists work within the National Health Service, the state healthcare system. In Australia programs are available at both undergraduate and post graduate level. The physiotherapy degree can be undertaken over a 4 years period as an undergraduate or 2-3 years post graduate with the early components being predominantly theoretical including basic anatomy, biology, physics, psychology, kinesiology and physiology. The program generally progresses with an increasingly clinical focus and usually the final year involves practical placements at clinics, and research. In India, universities offer an undergraduate program of physiotherapy with four years of academic and clinical program and 6 months of compulsory internship. There are over 250 colleges offering undergraduate program in physiotherapy (BPT) and more than 50 colleges offering masters in Physiotherapy (MPT) with 2 years duration. http://thephysiosite.com/physiotherapy-training.php True or false: 1. The majority of physiotherapists in the UK work in private clinics. 2. In India universities offer four years of undergraduate studies and six months of internship. 3. In the USA there is one unified license for physiotherapists 4. In Australia the first year of the program involves practical placements at clinics. What can you say about the education for physiotherapists in the Czech Republic? Do you think that it should be improved or modified? If so in which ways?