FUTURE PERSPECTIVES OF DPT STUDENTS IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the current trends, challenges and future perspectives of physiotherapy in terms of social awareness, job availability and career orientation.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 physiotherapy students at Rawalpindi Medical University Rawalpindi, Benazir Bhutto Hospital Rawalpindi and Maroof International Hospital Islamabad for 6 months. Non-probability convenience sampling was used. Fresh graduates of physiotherapy and postgraduate students studying physiotherapy were included in this study. All the students having experience of more than 3 years and students other than physiotherapy profession were excluded. Questionnaire was designed according to Likert scale from strongly agree to strongly disagree. Statistical analysis was done to analyse findings and interpret the results.

Results: The results showed that Pakistani government is taking initiative to some extent to promote the scope of physiotherapy but in the meanwhile social unawareness, job unavailability, and lack of clinical facilities are yet required to be considered.

Conclusion: Physiotherapy in Pakistan is at its developing phase and needs a lot of improvement. There are limited job opportunities and limited education facilities in institutes. Advertisement of the potential benefits of this profession can increase the number of job opportunities in both public and private sectors.