PUAN RUZITA RAZLAN

Physiotherapists or Physical Therapists are autonomous, primary health-care professionals who are experts in movement and function of the body.

Physiotherapists work with patients of all ages and a spectrum of health conditions.

Physiotherapists treat and manage acute injuries such as ankle sprains,knee injuries and other fractures,but also chronic conditions such as lower back pain,diabetes or heart disease.

Education,consultation and injury prevention is also an integral part of the scope of work of physiotherapist.

History-Early after the 1st world war-Physiotherapists formed their 1st professional Association in

1921 called the AMERICAN WOMEN’S PHYSICAL THERAPEUTIC ASSOCIATION.

-Led by MARY MCMILLAN, President of the Association.-The history of physical therapists begins with Reconstruction

Aides to meet wartime needs for Reconstructive therapy.-Mary McMillan and Marquerite Sanderson developed the

Reconstruction Aide training program in 1918.-”Reconstruction Aide” was replaced with "Physiotherapy

Aide”.-Women’s Physical Therapeutic Association later changed to

American Physiotherapy Association in the late 1930s.

MALAYSIAN PHYSIOTHERAPY ASSOCIATION MPA was formed in 1963.

WCPT, World Confederation of Physical Therapists is the Governing body to which MPA is affiliated.

We form a part of a hospital team, encourage intercollaborative with other specialties and create opportunities in participation in wider scope of practice i.e. ENT, Skin etc.

Musculoskeletal/Orthopaedic Cardiovascular and Respiratory Intensive care Neurology: e.g. Stroke Rehabilitation Peadiatric Women’s Health/Obstetric and Gynaecology Geriatric Sports

Occupational Safety and Health Skin/dermatology Otolaringology(ORL)/Ear,Nose and

Throat(ENT) Weight management program Wellness/Beauty

Knowledge Based-involve in various new area of practice and research i.e.

robotic and virtual reality assisted rehabilitation Institution Based-getting better positioning in specialised area i.e. National

Heart Institute(Cardio respiratory), National Sports Institute(Sports Physiotherapy)

Business Based-Form as profitable unit in private practice hospital or

physiotherapy centre Community Based-affiliated with social agencies and NGO to participate in out

reach program e.g. CBR,NASAM,YSIS,JKM etc. Special Area-as respond to highly required physical care i.e. football.

Physiotherapy presence still largely available in hospital and main cities

-opportunities for more smaller centre and reach out more smaller cities

-create unit in work/industrial area including training facilities and school

-involve in policy making and consultation services to assist policy maker and top management in designing and implementing policy related to health especially involving core area of physiotherapist, musculoskeletal,neurology and cardiorespiratory

Why enter physiotherapy training Which area of interest to pursue List all the areas might be the opportunities for physiotherapist to explore..current and

future