What is the Education Pathway to be a Physiotherapist in Malaysia?
The job of a Physiotherapist can be very satisfying as you have the power to bring physical relief to people who are in pain with hands-on treatment. In addition, you also provide emotional support and self-help strategies that will empower your patients to improve their own health, strength and quality of life.
Physiotherapy is also one of the top emerging careers in helping people recover from injuries or illnesses to improve their quality of life. A degree in physiotherapy allows for a flexible career that can be practised in various settings, including hospitals, clinics and even sports teams.
As the Malaysian population becomes more educated and affluent as well as age, there are more cases of Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions. With education and a higher income, Malaysians are more open to visiting Physiotherapists to find relief from these conditions.
Malaysia will officially be considered an ageing country in 2030, with people aged 60 years and over surpassing 15% of the working population. A situation like this creates job opportunities for physiotherapists upon graduating, creating many future opportunities to help them manage pain and prevent disease.
According to the Malaysian Physiotherapy Association, currently there is an estimated 2,759 practising physiotherapists in the country which is only 0.88 Per 10,000 population. Therefore, there is a demand for more qualified and trained Physiotherapists.
What is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapists are experts in movement throughout the lifespan – from birth right through to old age. If you have trouble with any aspect of body movement, a Physiotherapist has the expertise to find out why. Their training and expert knowledge of how the body works allows them to help people – whether ill, injured, disabled or healthy – to exercise and to regain or improve their function.
Using knowledge from our extensive scientific background of human anatomy and physiology, Physiotherapists can help to assess, diagnose, and treat injuries and conditions that affect people in all ages or to assist a patient to prevent injury in the workplace or sports related.
Physiotherapists use mainly physical means such as exercise, manipulation, mobilisation, massage, and electrotherapy to help patients achieve their full potential. Traditionally, physiotherapy was regarded as rehabilitative and mainly hospital-based, but the profession has always been active in other health care areas and collaborate with doctors and pharmacists. They also review exercise routines, new supplements on the market and physiotherapists have invaluable expertise to offer in educational and preventative roles in the community, the workplace and in private practice in Malaysia.