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PHYSIOTHERAPY-CAREER INFORMATION SUMMARY
WHAT IS PHYSIOTHERAPY AND WHO IS A PHYSIOTHERAPIST?
Physiotherapy is one of the many programs under the allied health sciences; it is a science based profession that is specifically concerned about the wellbeing and the health of a patient. Physiotherapy is primarily concerned with the treatment to restore, maintain and make the most of a patient’s mobility(musculoskeletal), function, and well-being by way of physical rehabilitation, injury prevention, and health and fitness. Physiotherapy is used to improve a patient's physical functions through physical examination, diagnosis, prognosis, physical intervention as well as patient education.
A physiotherapist is simply a person that has studied or specialized in physiotherapy, he/she helps people of different ages that may be affected by injury, illness or disability through movement and exercise, manual therapy, education and advice.
Physiotherapists further have in-depth knowledge of how the body works and specialized hands-on clinical skills to assess, diagnose, and treat symptoms of illness, injury and disability.
It is very important to note that physiotherapy may be referred by other institutions to as physical therapy and physiotherapists as physical therapists but they are simply two sides of the same coin.
WHERE DO PHYSIOTHERAPISTS WORK?
Physiotherapists, like many other health professionals, work in clinics/hospitals under the physiotherapy department. The services of a physiotherapist are interestingly not only required in hospitals but in so many fields as compared to what one may imagine. In Zambia a physiotherapist is required in places including schools, professional sports clubs, gyms, hotels and rehabilitation centers just to mention but a few. In Zambia, however, most physiotherapists work in private and public clinics/hospitals as well as in sport clubs.
WHAT TASKS ARE INVOLVED IN THE WORK?
Despite physiotherapists having to work in various institutions and setups, their tasks are arguably the same and that is assessing, diagnosing, and treating symptoms of illness, injury and disability. Other tasks may include:
- Encouraging exercise and movement
- Advising patients on leading a healthy lifestyle
- Keeping reports on patients and their progress
- Staying up to date with developments in treatments
- Administering manual treatments such as massage therapy or pressure point therapy
- Dealing with neck and back pain caused by problems in the muscles and skeleton
- Dealing with problems in the bones, joints, muscles and ligaments, such as arthritis and the after-effects of amputation
- Dealing with pelvic issues, such as bladder and bowel problems related to childbirth
- Dealing with loss of mobility because of trauma to the brain or spine, or due to diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis
WHAT IS THE WORK SCHEDULE OF A PHYSIOTHERAPIST?
The schedule of work for physiotherapists is different in various institutions depending on the terms of contracts. In Zambia, most of the physiotherapists under public clinics/hospitals work from Monday to Friday from 08hrs to 17hrs. This however is not the case for those under sports club who may only be needed on some days of a week depending on the club’s schedule.
WHAT DOES THE JOB MARKET LOOK LIKE?
Physiotherapy is one of the health professions in Zambia with a broad job market. Of course the government is the major employer of physiotherapists in Zambia. However, physiotherapy is also marketable in the private sector including private hospitals, hotels, recreation facilities, as well as some health related Non-Governmental Organisations such as CHAZ.
WHAT SORT OF CAREER-PERSONALITY MATCH IS REQUIRED?
To start with, a physiotherapist must at least be a lover of science as that is where it all starts with particular interest in anatomy and physiology. More importantly, physiotherapy has more to do with one’s heart than it does with one’s general intelligence; it asks for patience, initiative, empathy and above all sensitivity. A physiotherapist must be in possession of excellent communication skills as well as able to work under pressure and manage time effectively.
A physiotherapist must as well be social and corporative, compassionate and supportive, resilient and confident and also Fit and health-conscious.
Scroll to the bottom for a list of Institutions that offer Physiotherapy
WHAT SUBJECTS WILL THE PROGRAM COVER?
Again, the courses or course combinations may differ in various academic institutions; for a diploma at Evelyn Hone College, in the first year, one is required to take Exercise therapy, anatomy, electrotherapy, mathematics, first aid, pathology, communication skills, human physiology and computer studies. While at the University of Zambia, for a bachelor’s degree, one is required to take A levels of mathematics and other sciences before majoring into physiotherapy specific courses in the second year.
WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?
The general entry requirement for health sciences in Zambia is basically a six or better in five subjects including mathematics and English (in this case including the sciences too). This is however subjected to competition and thus bringing in the issue of cut off points. At the University of Zambia, the cut off point for a degree varies between 6 to 12 points (the gender of an applicant may also play a huge role here as females are relatively subjected to a lower cut off point). At Evelyn Hone College for a diploma, it varies between 6 to 18 points. Note that the cut-off point may be different at different institutions in the same academic year and from year to year.
WHAT OTHER PROGRAMS OF STUDY CAN MAKE SOMEONE A PHYSIOTHERAPIST?
To work as a physiotherapist, one has to study for a degree or diploma in physiotherapy.
WHAT ARE THE FUTURE ADVANCED QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE AND WHY?
It has been observed that the lowest qualification that one can attain in the field of physiotherapy is a diploma, but talking of the highest, let’s just say; ‘only the sky is the limit.’ One can attain a master’s degree or a PhD. As articulated in this summary, the advancement in the qualifications will broaden the opportunities and let alone the income. Because with higher qualifications, one can be employed to handle more complicated responsibilities which results in better rewards.
INSTITUTIONS THAT OFFER PHYSIOTHERAPY
UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA
Programme duration: 5 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time only
Admitting school: School of Natural Sciences
Intakes: January (only)
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +26 0211 252641
E-mail: dean-medicine@unza.zm
Website: www.unza.zm/academics/undergraduate/bachelor-of-science-physiotherapy
LEVY MWANAWASA MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 5 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time
Admitting school: School of Health Sciences
Intakes: January (only)
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 974 330519 / +260 953 821693
Email: info@lmmu.ac.zm
Website: www.lmmu.ac.zm/levy-mwanawasa-medical-university-fees-structure
LUSAKA APEX MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 5 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time only
Admitting school: Faculty of Pre-Medical Sciences
Intakes: January and July
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Email: happy.mtonga@lamu.edu.zm
Tel: +260 979 927901 / +260 974 137203
Website: www.lamu.edu.zm/academic-fees
EVELYN HONE COLLEGE
Programme duration: 3 years (diploma)
Mode of study: Full-time only
Admitting school: School of Health and Applied Sciences
Intakes: January (only)
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 211 227752 / +260 211 220208
Email: kalabacullen@rocketmail.com
Website: www.evelynhone.edu.zm/academic-fees/
KAFUE INSTITUTE OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND RESEARCH
Programme duration: 3 years (diploma)
Mode of study: Full-time only
Intakes: January and July
Location: Kafue
Contacts
Email: kafueihs@gmail.com
Tel: +260 971 908366
Website: www.kihser.com