Fast track to a career in physiotherapy
VIJITHA Sivanjanam has had a long-standing fascination with the field of physiotherapy. As a child, she would accompany her mother to physiotherapy sessions and her interest was constantly piqued by the motley of equipment at the clinic.
She was offered a job as a physiotherapy assistant after finishing secondary school, where she learnt that the profession is much more than tending to sports injuries. She knew then that she wanted to pursue a programme that could help her achieve a successful career in physiotherapy.
Ramsay Sime Darby Healthcare (RSDH) College, one of the early trailblazers of healthcare education in Malaysia, offers the Diploma in Physiotherapy programme – a three-year course undertaken over six semesters.
“I paid a visit to the college to learn more about the diploma programme. What really stood out was the fact that the head of department at the time sat down with me and took the time to explain what physiotherapy is about despite her busy schedule.
“The experience felt personalised. From the beginning, I felt like the college had a close, familial environment. I had a strong feeling that this place was going to be good for me,” says Vijitha.
Natural career progression
RSDH College is a subsidiary of Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care Group, which is a joint venture by Ramsay Health Care (Australia) and Sime Darby (Malaysia). The group runs Ara Damansara Medical Centre, Subang Jaya Medical Centre and ParkCity Medical Centre.
RSDH College students undergo clinical training at these three hospitals, giving them a great advantage. On top of this, students get to serve at government medical establishments and non-governmental organisations.
Krishna Kumar Pathmanathan, lecturer at the physiotherapy faculty of RSDH College’s new Setia Alam campus, shares, “A great benefit for our students is that talented candidates are offered jobs at the group’s hospitals once they qualify as physiotherapists. Yayasan Sime Darby offers scholarships for deserving students to be absorbed into our own hospitals, which is subject to manpower distribution across RSDH hospitals.”
In terms of facilities, physiotherapy students have access to a wide variety of skills laboratories at the campus. In these spaces, students practise physiotherapy techniques such as electrotherapy and manual therapy.
“We have what we need here, but if there is cutting-edge technology that is not available on campus, the lecturers will show us videos and explain how it works to us. We are always updated with what is practised in hospitals,” shares Vijitha.
Kumar sometimes brings his patients to the college to teach his students how to work with particularly complex cases. “Before I joined academics, I was practising physiotherapy for almost 22 years. Through my experience, I have gotten to know many patients and their parents, who trust my expertise. Since we want our diploma students to be skilful and not just theoretically inclined, it is best that they are exposed to real cases, which the college and I help provide,” he says. Throughout the diploma programme, the lecturers remain committed to teaching students as much as they can about real-world situations.
“We go the extra mile by covering more than the syllabus details, taking global advancements into consideration. I try and present them with clinical scenarios that they may encounter once they start working so that they can be prepared and unafraid,” explains Kumar.
Besides the skills laboratories, students at RSDH College have access to a range of facilities within the campus grounds such as a library, auditorium, anatomy and physiology museum, and simulation wards. There is also a student hostel that is equipped with amenities such as a swimming pool and gymnasium.
Meaningful mentoring
Solid rapport between lecturers and students is a significant part of life at RSDH College. Vijitha recalls that the best part of her experience was the relationships she built with other students, faculty members and college staff.
“Here, it is like family where we sit around the lecturer and talk to him openly. We are always genuinely happy to see one another. It is the same for students of all programmes, not just the physiotherapy students,” she says.
Vijitha adds that she was very reserved when she first joined the college, but lecturers were warm and friendly towards the students, putting her at ease.
“I felt like I was in a second home. When I had insecurities, the lecturers and other staff members here would always reassure me.
“They would remind me that I knew what I was doing, and I should go for what I want. They would also show me how I can approach things when I was unsure about what I could do. They are almost like parents, and we have a great bond,” says Vijitha.
In the process of helping her achieve her dreams, Vijitha feels that her lecturers helped her mould her manual and soft skills. Kumar says that these positive outcomes can be attributed to the good rapport between students and lecturers.
“We physiotherapy lecturers are very close with our students. If there is a distance between students and lecturers, we cannot make good professionals out of them. We need to make them feel secure and confident, unafraid to ask questions and do what needs to be done.
“To foster this, lecturers should be very approachable. If the students are comfortable with us, they will feel braver when they face the public in the working world. We do not want to create a culture of fear,” he says.
Kumar explains that first and foremost, lecturers need to set good examples for their students. He believes that it is his responsibility as a lecturer to promote the profession to them.
Many college freshmen may not have a comprehensive understanding of physiotherapy. Lecturers armed with many years of experience can explain the different areas of specialisation that graduates can enter as qualified physiotherapists.
“Not everyone wants to be
We physiotherapy lecturers are very close with our students. If there is a distance between students and lecturers, we cannot make good professionals out of them.
Vijitha Sivanjanam
employed at a hospital. Lecturers can ignite a student’s interest in the profession by showing him or her the many career options available. For example, a student may consider opening a clinic, community-based rehabilitation centre or fitness centre, or joining academics with relevant experience,” he says.
Vijitha points out that through the guidance of her lecturers, she feels that she has even more interest in the field compared to when she first started.
“The lecturers have shown us that we can make a real difference to the lives of others. Through their guidance and exposure to handson clinical practice, I began to realise that I have the power and ability to help patients,” she says.
For more information, call 1300 888 321 or visit www. ramsaysimedarbycollege.edu.my