A Survey on Level of Awareness of Physiotherapy as a Career Option among Private School Students

Abstract

Background: High school students have a far-reaching discernment when it comes to opting a vocation this is because decisions made in the senior year of school concretes their future. Physiotherapy is a health-maintenance craft that necessitate appraisal and drawing out a diagnosis to heal deterioration, improve vigor, and hence improve standard of living. This study evaluated the perception of high school students about physiotherapy as a profession and career option.\nMethodology: Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria 200 high school students were selected using cluster sampling. Outcome measures used a self-made questionnaire sculpted as Google form which was sent to students from standard IX to XII. Bearing physiotherapy as an option within health sciences domain in mind, various types of questions specific to physiotherapy department, its practice areas, and the course study were put forth to these students through the online questionnaire.\nResults: The percentage of students who considered physiotherapy as a career option in medicine was 59% but, 72.5% were not aware of the eligibility criteria for entering a physiotherapy degree program and 73.5% did not know about the pathological conditions treated in physical therapy although, 81% agreed that physical therapy is effective in reducing pain. Mixed opinions were noted on physical therapy as profession as good (46.5%), very good (24%), excellent (23%) and not good (6.5%).\nConclusion: Conclusion of above study is that the awareness among students of senior secondary section of private schools across the city of Ludhiana in Punjab is less than half of the percentage in most of the questions of surveyed population. None of the students were able to complete the whole questionnaire perfectly.\n\nKey words: awareness; physiotherapy; private schools; career options; students.