Physiotherapy Schools in Ghana: Courses and Requirements.
Physiotherapy Schools in Ghana: Physiotherapy is a science-based programme that uses physical approaches such as exercise, massage, manipulation, and other therapies rather than medicine and surgery to treat injury, disease, and disorders.
A prospective physiotherapist can specialize in muscular and skeletal disorders, women’s health, elderly care, chest issues, workplace health and safety, sports injuries, newborns and young children, nervous system difficulties, spinal injuries, administration, education, or research.
Physiotherapy Schools in Ghana
Physiotherapy Schools in Ghana: Below are the list of schools offering physiotherapy in Ghana:
- University of Ghana (UG)
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
- University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS)
- St John of God College of Health
- Green Hill School of Health Science
There are many colleges across the country offering diploma and certificate programmes in physiotherapy (occupational therapy):
School of Hygiene, Korle Bu
School of Hygiene, Ho
Tamale school of hygiene
Physiotherapy Courses
| NAME OF THE COURSE | TYPE OF COURSE | DURATION |
|---|---|---|
| BPT – Bachelor of Physio / Physical Therapy | Undergraduate Degree | 4 years |
| B.Sc in Physiotherapy | Undergraduate Degree | 3 years |
| BOT – Bachelor of Occupational Therapy | Undergraduate Degree | 3-5 years |
| Diploma in Physiotherapy | Undergraduate Diploma | 2 to 3 years |
Subjects in physiotherapy
| DIPLOMA IN PHYSIOTHERAPY SYLLABUS AND COURSE | ||
|---|---|---|
| General Anatomy | Electrotherapy | Surgery |
| General Physiology | Psychology | Orthopedics |
| Pathology | Computer Training | Physiotherapy in Medical Conditions |
| Pharmacology | Medicine | Physiotherapy in Surgical Conditions |
How many years does it take to study physiotherapy in Ghana?
To become a physiotherapist in Ghana, it will take you four years to study physiotherapy in any of the universities offering the programme in Ghana. After your study, you need one extra year to do your internship and write the Allied Health Profession licensing exams to qualify as a registered physiotherapist.
So, in total, you need 5 years to be a certified physiotherapist in Ghana.
How Much Does a Physiotherapist Earn in Ghana?
A Physiotherapist working in Ghana will earn around 103,600 GHS per year, and this can range from the lowest average salary of about 48,560 GHS to the highest average salary of 159,400 GHS.
The salary depends on various factors; i.e. level of education and specialty, the organization you are working for, the location, gender, and experience.
The Roles and Responsibilities of a Physiotherapist
The Roles and Responsibilities of a Physiotherapist in the Health Sector Include the:
The Role and Responsibilities of a Physiotherapist: Physiotherapy is a very promising, rewarding, and satisfactory profession as paramedical science has a larger role & responsibility in a hospital scenario.
After clearing the licensing examination of a given country, it opens up wide opportunities for physiotherapists in the health industry.
- Evaluating balance in neurologically affected patients.
- Apply manual therapy, mobilization, manipulation of soft tissue techniques, etc.
- Wheelchair and gait training with or without ambulatory aids.
- Aid in-home evaluation to make the environment barrier-free and accessible.
- Improving the status of patients with cardiopulmonary dysfunction.
- Prescribing remedial exercises
- Muscle strength evaluation & quantification
- Physical treatment by electrotherapy modalities like diathermy, ultrasonic therapy, contrast bath, cryotherapy, hydro collator, whirlpool therapy, trans-electric muscle stimulation, infra-red therapy, ultraviolet therapy, etc, and also different therapeutic exercises by automated machines.
What Do Physiotherapists Do?
What Do Physiotherapists Do: A professional physiotherapist is trained to provide treatment for a variety of diseases and injury conditions. Physiotherapists offer treatments relating to the following conditions:
- Musculoskeletal:Â preventing and treating clients with musculoskeletal conditions such as neck and back pain.
- Women’s health concerns: addressing pregnancy, delivery, post-partum care, nursing, menopause, bedwetting, prolapsed, and loss of bladder or bowel control.
- Cardiorespiratory:Â providing support, prevention, and rehabilitation for people suffering from diseases and injuries that affect the heart and lungs, such as asthma.
- Cancer, palliative care, and lymphedema:Â treating, managing, or preventing fatigue, pain, muscle and joint stiffness, and deconditioning.
- Incontinence:Â managing and preventing incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction.
- Pain:Â managing or preventing pain and its impact on function in patients.
- Neurological: enhancing mobility and quality of life in patients who have suffered serious brain or spinal cord injury as a result of trauma, or who suffer from neurological disorders such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.
- Orthopedic:Â helping patients prevent or manage acute or chronic orthopedic conditions such as arthritis and amputations.
How to Become a Physiotherapist in Ghana
How to Become a Physiotherapist in Ghana: To become a physiotherapist, you have to complete a degree in physiotherapy at university and pass the Allied Health Council Exams.
To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education.
Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics, biology, chemistry, and physics are normally required. You may also be required to attend an interview.
Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements.
Entry Requirements for Physiotherapy
A’ LEVEL HOLDERS
Credit passes in FIVE (5) subjects at GCE Ordinary Level including English Language and
Mathematics and Three (3) Credit passes at Advanced Level in Biology, Chemistry, and either Mathematics or Physics.
WASSCE/SSSCE APPLICANTS
Applicants for a physiotherapy degree in Ghana are expected to have credit passes in English, Core Mathematics, and Integrated Science.
In addition, they’re also expected to have credit passes in Chemistry, Physics, and either Biology or Elective Mathematics.
Job Opportunities for physiotherapist
Sports Physiotherapists along with Sports Associations, Sports Team, individually hired physiotherapists by elite athletes
Entrepreneurs in Rehabilitation Centers/ Organizations
Private Practitioners running Private Physiotherapy Practice
Consultant Physiotherapist in Multi-specialty Hospitals, Health Care Centers, NGOs
Corporate Physiotherapists in MNCs
Health Care Physiotherapy Instructor in Modern Gymnasiums
Ergonomic Care Advisor
Physiotherapist in Special Schools for Physically Challenged Children
Physiotherapist in Old Age Residential Homes
Lecturer
Clinical Researcher
Specialization in physiotherapy
Specialty in Physiotherapy: Physiotherapists can specialize in the various specialty listed below:
- Pediatrics Physiotherapy
- Obstetrics Physiotherapy
- Geriatrics Physiotherapy
- Post Operative Physiotherapy
- Cardiovascular Physiotherapy
- Sports Physiotherapy
- Neurology Physiotherapy
- Orthopedic Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy Hospitals in Ghana
All teaching, Regional, including 37 Hospitals have a physiotherapy unit.
Other private facilities also have the unit.
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