Perception of junior college students about Physiotherapy as a profession

Introduction: Junior college students have a wide spectrum of insight when it comes to choosing a career option. Physiotherapy is a health-care profession that involves evaluation and formulating a diagnosis to cure impairments, improve mobility, and hence improve quality of life. This study evaluated the perception of junior college students about physiotherapy as a profession and career option. Furthermore, the study determined the role sources of career information. Methodology: The study population includes 200 science stream junior college students which were selected using cluster sampling, i.e., selecting students from different zones of Pune. Outcome measures used were a self-made questionnaire which was distributed among students. Bearing physiotherapy as an option within health sciences domain in mind, various types of questions specific to physiotherapy department, its practice areas, and the course study were put forth to these students through the questionnaire. Results: Two-third of the information regarding physiotherapy was reported to be obtained from the internet (38%). Forty percent students did not know if physiotherapist can be directly visited/reference from doctor is required for physiotherapy. Only 2.5% and 0.5% students knew that physiotherapy is also useful in cardiorespiratory and pediatric conditions. Conclusion: Majority (74.5%) of students would consider physiotherapy as a career option. There is still a need to improve the knowledge of students regarding physiotherapy through various sources such as career information and Indian Association of Physiotherapy to give out appropriate and useful information, as there is a dearth of physiotherapy professionals in India.