Physiotherapy is a health care profession concerned with identifying and maximizing quality of life and movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, diagnosis, treatment/ intervention and rehabilitation. The physiotherapist is trained in the physical procedures required in the rehabilitation of conditions such as hemiplegia, paraplegia, head injury, cerebral palsy, orthopaedic conditions like fractures, joint replacements, sports injuries and in the care of patients admied in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and those who undergo cardiac and lung surgery. Those who have the passion to beer the lives of the physically challenged would be ideally suited for this professional training programme. The course comprises of exclusive classroom teaching and demonstration in the first year and clinical teaching in the subsequent years. Learning by doing is given high emphasis. Subjects like Anatomy, Physiology, Exercise therapy, Electrotherapy, Biomechanics, Manual therapy, Clinical Orthopaedics, Neurology and Cardiorespiratory care are an integral part of the curriculum. At the end of the course the student will be equipped with the knowledge and skills in the use of physical agents, as well as principles, to treat and alleviate pain and disability caused by various illnesses. Physiotherapy is a well-established field in healthcare. CMC is also offering the postgraduate degree program in Orthopaedic Physiotherapy from 2016. Postgraduate Specialization in paediatrics, neurology, cardiopulmonary, sports, oncology, and community physiotherapy are available in other centres in India and abroad. Doctoral programmes in specific topics of interest can also be pursued by students to reach greater heights and set new trends in Rehabilitation.
The MPT Orthopaedics course was started in 2016. This is a full-time clinical learning course offered by Christian Medical College, Vellore, through excellent clinical teaching and learning from direct patientcare. The students of this program will be part of the Orthopedic physiotherapy team. The ability of the candidates to plan physiotherapy treatment using current evidence will be advocated through clinical di s cus s ions , journal c lubs , and aending multidisciplinary team rounds. They will have the opportunity to work closely with Orthopaedic and Spine surgeons. They will also have exposure to Paediatric Orthopaedics, Orthopaedic Oncology, Hand Surgery, Rheumatology specialties, Outpatient unit, and Inpatient wards. Students who are enrolled in this program will have to complete a supervised research project, as part of their curriculum. Research activities are funded by the Institutional Fluid Research Grant. They will also be given the opportunity to present their research activities in national and s tate Phys iotherapy forums . Physiotherapy is one of the fastest-growing professions where the specialty in the field is well recognized. The program is designed to help students excel as competent clinicians, academicians, and researchers.