Name
Parul Soni
Birth Place
Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.
Academic Qualification
College: VSPM's College of Physiotherapy. BPT (Batch: 2007), MPT (Batch: 2012), VUniversity: MUHS Nashik, Maharashtra India.
Language you speak/write
English, Hindi, and Marathi.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and about your profession.
I am Parul Soni Verma, a community rehabilitation physiotherapist, and I am also a part-time medical content writer.
Please walk me through a typical day in the life of a physiotherapist, starting with the time you arrive at work until the time you leave.
When I am in the clinic I manage multiple patient appointments, home visits and teleconsultations throughout my shift. However, currently I am on maternity leave. I am working part-time as a medical content writer.
What inspired you to pursue physiotherapy as a career?
A spinal injury to my mother rendered her immobile and weak in her legs. The physiotherapists had her walking in a matter of days after her surgery. I was greatly motivated by watching these physiotherapists make my weak mom strong again.
Which abilities do you consider to be the most crucial for a physiotherapist when you are deciding to pursue it as a career?
The skills or abilities that anyone aspiring to become a physiotherapist should bear in mind are the capacity for communication, empathy, compassion, and moral integrity.
What do you like most about your job as a physiotherapist?
The pain-free movement and functional gain of a patient are everything to me.
What resources do you find valuable to stay updated with the latest developments in physiotherapy?
I read a lot of physiotherapy magazines, like PHYSIOTIMES, PHYSIOSPOT. I read new studies from the Indian journals OTPT, BMC, and APTA.
How have you previously dealt with patients who were uncooperative/abusive? Are there any particular strategies that you tend to follow?
Once, a patient with alcohol withdrawal scratched me, which resulted in wounds. A child with cerebral palsy bit me. You have to handle such patients with patience. I follow a professional approach where I counsel such patients about what technique I will be using. I give firm instructions and withdraw if they cause physical harm.
What are your strategies to manage your workload and patient appointments throughout the day?
My strategy is to use group therapy with patients who have similar conditions, we work in teams to handle the patients in a better way.
Could you share the challenges you face in your work as a physiotherapist and how do you handle them?
Challenges are different in different situations and circumstances. I handle them with patience and grace.
What factors do you commonly consider while designing personalized treatment plans for your patients?
Several things like: 1. Underlying condition 2. existing current condition 3. strength 4. Stamina.
What are your strategies to educate your patients to make them actively participate in their own rehabilitation process?
I have a session with every new patient to educate them about their condition and exercise plan. Some printed booklets also help.
What pay should a Physiotherapist intern/professional get according to you?
Payment should totally depend on expertise, time provided by the physiotherapist, and years of experience. I can't give a certain amount. But yes, this is an unfair practice when physios are given long shifts with peanut payments.
Is physiotherapy a good career option in India? If yes, what add-ons do you think you can apply to make it a good career option?
It is a good option if you find your niche. I find that an additional course in face physiotherapy, sports/clinical nutrition and medical writing helps to broaden your horizons.
How one can become a physiotherapist in India?
After higher secondary education, NEET is the entrance test that determines the fate of students. If you score well and come in the range of physiotherapy cut-off scores, admission in physiotherapy college is a piece of cake.
Do you think AI/Robotic technology would help to improve the future of physiotherapy? If so, what technological advancements do you think are particularly promising?
Yes, i absolutely agree. Health informatics and AI are the future of every profession. Personally, i think computerized cognitive therapy can improve learning, memory, and analytic skills. and gait training with all the digital monitoring work. Robotic brain stimulation device have proven beneficial in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
What is your Mantra for success?
My mantra is, "Don't wish for it, work for it".
What is a Physiotherapist's Hack for fitness?
Best hack is to monitor steps. I have a goal to complete 10k steps daily.
What outcome measures do you use to track patient improvement?
I use Fatigue severity scale, WHOQOL for every patient. I also include many other scales for specific conditions when needed.
Any message for budding physiotherapists?
Never back down, broaden your horizons and be market ready.