NEET now Mandatory for UG Physiotherapy Admissions, Here is Draft Physiotherapy Curriculum for further Details

New Delhi: The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) has now been made a mandatory entry requirement for admission to Undergraduate level Physiotherapy courses.

Releasing the draft curriculum of Physiotherapy, the Interim Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (ICAHP) has mentioned that the students entering the Physiotherapy program, "must have appeared in National eligibility entrance test (NEET)."

Following the review and approval of ICAHP, the draft curriculum of Physiotherapy was circulated in the public domain seeking comments/views of the General Public on the same.

Issuing a circular in this regard, the Union Health Ministry uploaded the draft curriculum on its website and asked to send the comments/views on the curriculum to the email of ICAHP (icahp.india@gmail.com) or the address of the ICAHP Secretary.

Entry Requirements: 

Specifying the entry requirements for the undergraduate physiotherapy program, the draft curriculum mentioned that the students entering the PT program should have completed the recognized secondary school studies as the qualification stipulated for physiotherapy course (degree) is 10+2 or equivalent examination with science subject with Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Min 50% marks) from a recognized university or board which would provide the foundation for and prepare them for higher education studies.

It further mentioned that the admission shall be on the basis of entrance exam conducted by central agency/ state agency/ university (As applicable). "The candidate must have appeared in National eligibility entrance test (NEET)," it added.

However, while specifying the eligibility for admission to the Bachelor of Physiotherapy or while mentioning the selection procedure, the Draft mentioned, "Admission to Bachelor of Physiotherapy course shall be made on the basis of eligibility and an entrance test to be conducted for the purpose. No candidate will be admitted on any ground unless he/she has appeared in the University Entrance admission test. Candidate can also admit through NEET."

Also Read: Separate NEET for BAMS, BUMS, BSMS; Separate NEET for Sowa-Rigpa under NCISM Regulations 2023

Course Duration: 

The Draft mentioned, "It is recommended that any program developed from this curriculum should have a minimum of the following duration to qualify as an entry level professional in physiotherapy...". For the Bachelor's degree level, the Draft curriculum has prescribed for a 5 years program, including one year of internship.

Further, the Draft mentioned that "The emphasis initially should be on the academic content establishing a strong scientific basis and in the later year on the application of theory to clinical/reflective practice. In Bachelor degree program clinical practice should be started from 2nd year onwards and this should be on a continuum of rotation from theory to practice over the program. The aim of the five year degree program is to enable the development of the PT as an independent health care practitioner as well as a key member of the multidisciplinary team and to enable him/her to execute advanced diagnosis, preparation/planning/delivery/prescription of physiotherapy treatment as well as quality assurance."

"With the change in the disease dynamics and multifold increase in the cases needing physiotherapy treatment, it is imperative that a wellstructured program of postgraduate education is also encouraged so as to enhance research capacity within the country to widen the scope of clinical practice for the profession. Thus, a master’s degree program is recommended with minimum of two years of education in specialized field of physiotherapy. The post graduate students can contribute significantly in research and academics," it added.

In the Draft curriculum, it has also been advised that a separate Guidelines and rules should be framed for Research Degrees in Physiotherapy. In this regard,d the Draft mentioned, "PhD also play a significant role in the academic system of physiotherapy, however the curriculum has not indicated any prescriptive guidelines for that level apart from mapping it on the career and qualification map. It is therefore recommended that a separate Guidelines and rules should be framed for Research Degrees in Physiotherapy."

Several other aspects related to Physiotherapy- including background and statement of philosophy of the profession, scope of practice, recognition of title and qualification, issues concerning the education of a physiotherapist, teaching faculty and infrastructure, duration of the course, medium of instruction, teaching/learning methods, details of Masters of Physiotherapy etc. have also been discussed in the Draft Curriculum.

Note: News Provided by Aditya Sharma, a student of BPT 

To view the Draft Curriculum, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/physiotherapy-handbook-2023-229926.pdf

To view the Circular, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/draft-physiotherapy-curriculum-229928.pdf

Also Read: Physiotherapists working in Odisha govt hospitals under NHM demand regularisation, seperate cadre