Current status of post-graduate physical therapy curriculum in India: Articulated or disarticulated? An issue paper

The post graduate programs serves as the precursor for graduate level entry professionals to undertake diverse professional roles. Despite pedagogical innovation in post graduate physical therapy programs in India, there is dearth of professional expertise in academic, research and evidence based clinical practice. The objective of this article is to identify, describe and evaluate curriculum development and review curricular issues. There exist diversity in the curricula development, design, content, delivery, assessment, evaluation and review process among all the Government and Deemed universities offering postgraduate physical therapy programs in India. The review focuses on those issues in relation to the requirements of new areas in physical therapy education, which include multidisciplinary practice, broadening of specialty areas and information and communications technology keeping in mind the realistic learning outcomes. In order to streamline the curriculum processes in physical therapy, the article outlines the need for a national council for physical therapists that has significant implications for curriculum development at the national level. The article emphasizes for a dynamic & common Physical therapy curriculum across India as well as the need for a regulatory council that licenses Physical therapy practice so that physical therapy postgraduates are increasingly likely to begin professional life as practitioners of first contact, academicians as well as researchers in the field of physical therapy. In this review, the role of learning outcomes in Physical therapy pedagogy and curricula is critically appraised. The review suggests for the need of comprehensive, articulated & complimentary learning outcomes and objectives in post graduate Physical therapy pedagogic and curricula.