Awareness of Physiotherapy among Medical Professionals in Bathinda

Physiotherapy is an upcoming branch of health profession. It is multidisciplinary approach and is recognized worldwide but still, in India, it is not much appreciated. Increasing disability is becoming foremost concern to upgrade the standards and knowledge of Physiotherapy. It would only be possible if medical professionals have adequate inter professional knowledge and communication with the Physiotherapist.

To analyze the awareness of Physiotherapy among medical professionals in Bathinda.

A sample of 100 doctors, who were into active clinical practice in Bathinda, were approached. The basic qualification was MBBS, BAMS and BHMS from a recognized University of India. Post graduates were also included in the study. A written consent was taken from all the participants for their voluntary participation. A close ended self-administered questionnaire was distributed and collected for data analysis. The questionnaire consisted of three sections viz. Demographic data, General awareness which comprised of 5 questions and Professional awareness consisting of 10 questions.

Almost 100% of the doctors were aware of Physiotherapy. Only 64% of the doctors were aware that Physiotherapists are first contact practitioners whereas only 67% knew the role of Physiotherapy pre-operatively.

The result of the present study suggested that there was significant awareness of Physiotherapy, but most of the medical professionals were not aware of the fact that Physiotherapists are first hand practitioners. They were unaware of the pre-operative Physiotherapy. Some of the medical professional were lacking in the knowledge about the complications of delayed or avoided Physiotherapy.