Study profile: Physiotherapist

Becoming a physiotherapist requires a rigorous training program, which we've outlined in our physiotherapist career sheet. However, there are many subtleties and other options scattered throughout this pathway, and the student wishing to embark on this profession can sometimes be a little lost. This article will look in detail at all the important information about studying physiotherapy, from the number of years required to possible specializations.

What is a physiotherapist?

A physiotherapist (also known as a physiotherapist or kiné) is a health care professional specializing in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. He or she uses a variety of manual and instrumental techniques to improve mobility, reduce pain and restore physical function in patients who come to him or her for consultation. In addition, he treats a wide variety of cases in a broad cross-section of the population, from the elderly to athletes, children and rehabilitation patients.

Studying physiotherapy

Studies and academic prerequisites

To become a physiotherapist, you need to follow an academic path accessible after obtaining a baccalaureate, preferably a scientific one. From this point onwards, students can opt for a first year in :

• Parcours Accès Santé Spécifique (PASS)
• Licence avec Accès Santé (L.AS)
• Bachelor of Science and Technology in Physical and Sports Activities (STAPS)
• Biology degree

When making your choice, it's a good idea to find out about the specific features of the universities offering these courses. Access to physiotherapy studies is determined by an agreement between the university and the Institut de Formation en Masso-Kinésithérapie (IFMK).

Once this first year of study has been completed, students can apply to study physiotherapy. Assessment is based on the results obtained in the bachelor's program. It should be noted that, depending on the pathway chosen, students may take the competitive examination once or several times. For example, a student who fails the IFMK entrance exam after a year of study in STAPS will not be able to retake the exam; whereas a student enrolled in L.AS may retake the exam three times.

If admitted to the IFMK, students will follow 4 years of theoretical and practical training to obtain the Diplôme d'Etat de Masseur-Kinésithérapeute.

Training program and course content

The trainingprogram for physiotherapists is designed to give students the full range of skills needed to perform acts of re-education, electro-physiotherapy or massage, either manually or with the aid of adapted equipment. It spans four years and combines theoretical courses with practical instruction. Students learn the basics of human anatomy, physiology and pathology, as well as various rehabilitation techniques. Courses also include modules on psychology, communication and patient management.

Theoretical courses provide knowledge in the fields of biomedicine, biomechanics, anatomy and the functioning of the human body. There are also modules focusing on the humanities, social sciences and public health, as well as palpation, massage and mobility techniques.

Practical training and work experience

Practical training isan essential part of physiotherapist training. These enable students to put their theoretical knowledge into practice under the supervision of experienced professionals. They take place in a variety of clinical environments, such as hospitals, private clinics, rehabilitation centers or sports clubs. This experience is crucial in applying the knowledge acquired in theoretical courses and preparing students for their graduation.

The cost of physiotherapy studies

Tuition fees depend on the type of IFMK the student wishes to enroll in. In public IFMKs, attached to the university, tuition costs €172 for the first two years and €243 for the third and fourth years. In private IFMKs, costs vary and can reach up to €9,000 per year.

The average tuition for IFMKs is 4200€ per year.

Skills and qualities required to become a physiotherapist

In this type of profession, expertise plays an important healing role for the patient. Throughout their studies, aspiring physiotherapists must therefore learn to master a number of skills and qualities:

• Technical and practical skills

• • Assessment and functional diagnosis:

• • • Carrying out detailed clinical examinations.
    • Assessment of posture, gait, joint mobility and muscle strength.
    • Identification of dysfunctions and functional limitations.

• • Rehabilitation techniques :

• • • Passive and active joint mobilization.
    • Muscle strengthening techniques.
    • Functional re-education and proprioception exercises.

• • Manual therapies:

• • • Therapeutic massages.
    • Spinal and joint manipulations.
    • Stretching and myofascial release techniques.

• • Treatments using physical agents:

• • • Use of ultrasound, shock waves, electrotherapy and infrared.
    • Application of cryotherapy and thermotherapy.

• • Respiratory rehabilitation:

• • • Bronchial decongestion techniques.
    • Exercise rehabilitation for patients suffering from chronic respiratory pathologies.

• • Neurological rehabilitation:

• • • Rehabilitation of patients suffering from stroke, multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease.
    • Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques.

• • Cardiac rehabilitation:

• • • Exercise programs for post-infarction patients or those with chronic heart disease.
    • Education in self-management of heart disease.

• • Pelvic-perineal rehabilitation:

• • • Treatment of urinary and fecal dysfunction.
    • Post-partum rehabilitation.

• • Prevention and education:

• • • Ergonomic advice to prevent musculoskeletal disorders.
    • Fall prevention programs for the elderly.
    • Posture and lifestyle education.

• • Pain management:

• • • Use of manual and physical techniques to relieve pain.
    • Application of functional bandages and kinesiotaping.

• • Follow-up and reassessment:

• • • Planning and adjustment of rehabilitation programs.
    • Monitoring patient progress and adjusting treatments accordingly.

In addition to these skills, which will need to be applied throughout their future career, physiotherapy students will need to develop interpersonal skills to help them in their duties. These include empathy, patience, communication, dexterity, stamina, observation, analytical skills, organization and ethics.

Jobs and career prospects

Physiotherapy is open to people of all ages and social classes. That's what makes it such a rich and stimulating profession. Students graduating from the IFMK are free to work in a wide variety of settings. They may choose to open or join a private practice, go into the sports field or, later on, research and teach to perpetuate the transmission of know-how to newcomers. As many opportunities as there arephysiotherapist jobs on our site!

Current challenges and issues facing the physiotherapy profession

Numerous digital tools and other software applications have entered the practice in recent years, redefining not only the way in which care and appointments are managed and administered, but also the way in which this science is taught.

For example, rehabilitation techniques have been developed using virtual reality systems. Patients are immersed in fictitious worlds, enabling them to perform movements useful for their motor skills. In an ordinary setting, these patients would not dare perform certain movements for fear of aggravating their injury. What's more, the playful nature of the system helps overcome pain. It's a new technology that's developing rapidly, and can be used to treat a wide range of rheumatological, traumatological and neurological conditions.

Robots are also making their appearance, making it possible to treat immobilized patients by performing active, assisted and passive mobilizations adapted to the patient's motor strengths.

All these advances make the doctor's job easier, alleviate the shortage of physiotherapists in isolated areas and improve the quality of care provided.

In short, physiotherapy studies are long, but highly rewarding. Resolutely dynamic, looking to the future through the implementation of innovative solutions, it's a course that brings deep satisfaction to the person who completes it.

Did you like this article and would like to learn more? Check out our physiotherapist salary sheet!