Senior Secondary Students’ Awareness of Physiotherapy: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Ashutosh Singh, Imran Khan, Gaurav Shrivastava, Sapna Malla, Mukul Sain
A
bstract
Background and Purpose:
Physiotherapy has experienced substantial growth in India; however, the awareness of the profession among senior secondary students remains limited. As career decisions during adolescence are often made without adequate guidance, understanding students’ perceptions of physiotherapy is important. Despite its established role, the understanding regarding the scope and applications of physiotherapy continues to persist among students. This study aimed to assess the level of awareness and understanding of physiotherapy as a healthcare profession among senior secondary students.
Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1080 senior secondary students in Jaipur, India. Data were collected using a structured validated questionnaire that assessed the awareness of physiotherapy, including its scope of practice, treatment approaches, and career opportunities. The questionnaire comprised closed-ended items, and awareness scores were calculated accordingly. Frequencies, central tendencies, and group differences were analyzed using appropriate parametric statistics, as required.
Results:
The mean awareness score was 16.43 ± 3.36 out of a maximum score of 28, indicating a moderate level of awareness. Students demonstrated the greatest awareness of the role of physiotherapy in musculoskeletal conditions (64.2%), whereas the awareness was considerably lower for hydrotherapy (34.2%) and cardiorespiratory rehabilitation (36.3%). Female students (
Conclusion:
Senior secondary students exhibited a moderate level of awareness regarding physiotherapy, with substantial gaps in knowledge about its broader clinical applications. Targeted educational initiatives and greater exposure to the profession are needed to address misconceptions and enhance the awareness of physiotherapy as a viable career option.