Physical Therapy

As you consider pursuing a career in Physical Therapy, understanding the goals of a Physical Therapy program is crucial. It's not just about earning a degree; it's about gaining the necessary skills, understanding, and competence to care for patients effectively. A wholesome Physical Therapy program aims to equip you with the practical knowledge, interpersonal skills, and ethical competence necessary to excel in this career. Studying this program is designed to cultivate a deep understanding of the human body and its functioning, the science of movement, and how to solve complex problems associated with physical impairments or disabilities.

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the human body and its functioning.
• Develop skills to diagnose and treat individuals with a range of physical impairments or disabilities.
• Achieve practical clinical skills through fieldwork and internships.
• Develop professional and ethical competence necessary to make sound decisions in the patient's best interest.
• Develop communication and interpersonal skills to build effective relationships with patients.

As you begin this journey into the field of Physical Therapy, expect to reach several learning outcomes. These objectives will not only prepare you for the practical requirements of patient therapies, but will also equip you with a broad base of knowledge in subjects like anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and pathology. By the completion of your study, you're expected to have developed key skills in communication, patient care, ethical decision-making, evaluation and diagnosis, and therapeutic exercise.

• Efficacious communication skills with patients and healthcare professionals
• A comprehensive understanding of human anatomy and how it relates to physical movement and rehabilitation
• Development of a broad knowledge base in biomechanics, pathology, and other related sciences
• A solid foundation in patient evaluation, diagnosis, and development of appropriate treatment plans
• Obtain a full grasp of ethical decision-making pertaining to patient care and treatment

Embarking on a higher education program in Physical Therapy requires a specific set of experiences to ensure you're prepared for this rigorous, yet ultimately rewarding journey. Initially, you'll need a strong foundation of knowledge and experience in Anatomy and Physiology from your undergrad studies. Along with this, an understanding of Physics and Biology is highly beneficial. As physical therapy pertains to working closely with people, demonstrated experience in customer service or patient care, such as volunteering in clinics, hospitals or nursing homes, can further enhance your readiness for the program. Remember, your Physical Therapy journey will not only test your scientific and medical knowledge, but it will also develop your interpersonal skills, empathy, and adaptability to work with a variety of patients.

• Undergraduate degree in a science-related field such as anatomy, physiology, biology or kinesiology
• Experience in customer service or patient care - this can be gained by volunteering or working part-time in clinics, hospitals or nursing homes
• Demonstrable understanding of physics and biology
• Persistent, adaptable, empathetic and possess excellent interpersonal skills