General information about Physiotherapy BSc

Physiotherapy is an allied health care profession and physiotherapists themselves are concerned with human function and movement. Physical approaches are used to prevent and treat many disabilities and diseases, but physiotherapy can also be used to help people gain strength and mobility after an illness or hospital stay.

In Szeged there is physiotherapist education since 1990. The University of Szeged, Faculty of Health and Social Studies, Department of Physiotherapy is the responsible for the education and the training is conducted in cooperation with the university clinics and other institutions of the Faculty of Medicine.

The physiotherapy degree can be undertaken over a four-year period, 7+1 semester, 7 semesters consists of theoretical and practical courses, and the last semester is a clinical internship, a supervised physiotherapy practice. The early components being predominantly theoretical including basic anatomy, biology, physics, psychology, kinesiology, physiology, movement assessment and basic physiotherapy courses.

In the latter half of the degree students take part in practical components focusing on musculoskeletal physiotherapy, neuromuscular physiotherapy, pediatric physiotherapy, geriatric physiotherapy, cardiothoracic physiotherapy, and women's health. The program generally progresses with an increasingly clinical focus and usually the final half year involves practical placements at clinics, and research.

Since Physiotherapist profession is a practice oriented profession, the practical education is performed in relatively small groups to provide higher effectiveness for learning outcome.

In general there are 14 weeks educations in autumn and spring semester as well followed by 6+1 weeks exam period in each semester.

After second year the students take part in two weeks summer clinical internship in different clinical settings, hospitals. The 8th semester is a whole semester clinical internship.

The physiotherapist education includes clinical internships that normally occur toward the end of the professional degree. During this time, the physiotherapist intern will rotate between different settings for a given time period of a three to four weeks. For example, a physiotherapist intern may have a rotation in orthopedics during one month and then in Traumatology department the next month. This would continue in different settings for a semester concerning the main clinical fields such as Internal medicine, Neurology and Musculoskeletal aspects, rehabilitation in altogether 780 hours clinical internship. During the education the students must collect 240 credits for BSc level.

Which subject should be learned concerning physiotherapist education?

Basic courses:

For example: Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology, Kinesiology, Pathokinesiology, Biomechanics, Massage and soft tissue mobilization techniques, EBHCT (Electro-, Balneo-, Hydro-, Climato-Therapy), Radiology, Movement assessment, Functional movement analysis

Clinical courses from medical and from physiotherapeutical point of view:

For example: Ortopedics, Ortopedical physiotherapy, Traumatology, Traumatological physiotherapy, Rheumatology, Rheumatological physiotherapy, Pulmonology, Pulmonological physiotherapy Cardiology, Cardiological physiotherapy, Paediatrics, Neurology, Neurological physiotherapy, Assistantal medicine, Intensive care, Obstetrics and Gynecology

Special Physiotherapeutical courses:

For example: PNF, Manual therapy, Training methodology, Rehabilitation, Lymph drainage, Aqua therapy

Other courses:

For example: Philosophy, Psychology, Pedagogy, Medical management, Legal issues

Some career possibilities

Most qualified physiotherapist either work within the National Healthcare Provider or the private sector within hospitals, or out in the community within home care providers. To join a home care provider for this a physiotherapy license number and at least 3 years of practice is necessary. Other setting for physiotherapists may include private companies, sports centers, wellness and spa resorts or private practice.

Physiotherapy is on the upward trend in Hungary, it is one of the most popular professions in the country. Due to many people in need of physiotherapy, this profession has become much sought-after in the world.

Physiotherapists work in prevention, health care and rehabilitation fields. Can be specialized to different fields of health care such as musculoskeletal problems, neurological issues, cardiopulmonary diseases. Physiotherapist deals with different age groups, from infants to elderly, therefore this profession is highly versatile.

Post-graduate courses

After graduation Physiotherapist with BSc degree can apply for MSc programs. Also graduated Physiotherapists can participate in different post-graduate professional, even international courses to specialize according to their area of interest. After getting the MSc degree they can also apply for doctoral programs, if they are interested in research.