In September 2013, the Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) course at Goa Medical College was commenced by the Government of Goa with 10 seats affiliated to the Goa University. Today a decade later, it offers 22 seats and also seven Post Graduate seats (Masters of Physiotherapy in four different sub-specialties). The first batch of MPT students successfully graduated in February 2023.
Despite teething problems, the determination and passion for the field laid the foundation for a promising today. Students have participated in various workshops and CPDs, thus increasing their knowledge, skills and experiences, hence enabling them to provide comprehensive and evidence based care to their patients. A decade later, Physiotherapy at Goa Medical College reached new heights with notable accomplishments with the success of their students who have been working nationally as well as internationally.
Physiotherapy helps restore healthy lifestyle, reduces pain and maintains optimum function of the body. Physiotherapists support people at all stages of life to recover from injury, reduce pain and stiffness, increase mobility and movement, maximize function and quality of life by incorporating physical, psychological, emotional and social wellbeing. The scope of the profession is multifaceted, which includes direct patient care and public health strategies to help the society live a comfortable life.
Being a physiotherapist for over 10 years, has given me immense happiness seeing all my patients recover post therapy from varied injuries and bringing back their smile after being pain and injury free. Giving patient care and treatment at community level is become every therapist’s priority. Community could be the patient’s home or residential care facility where the patient resides. By providing such therapy, patients are at the comfort of their home and helps in aiding the process.
Therapy provided at various health centres and camps organized, help in treating more number of people and bringing about awareness in communities as well.
Physiotherapists are able to assess their physical health and identify any musculoskeletal, neurological, paediatric, cardiac disabilities, etc, thus diagnosing the condition and planning a treatment plan according to their problem list. This helps to identify the source of their pain or disability and treat it immediately or advise a maintenance program thus preventing the condition from worsening.
Today, Goa Medical College stands as a beacon of pride and success, producing proficient physiotherapists and well experienced students with expertise in various fields of physiotherapy, therefore elevating the standard of healthcare in the state of Goa.
(The writer is an assistant professor of physiotherapy, GMC, Bambolim.)