Dr. Sonam Verma has been working as the Head of Physiotherapy Department at Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur, Rajasthan. She has done Bachelor of Physiotherapy from Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and University Jaipur of Rajasthan, Master of Physiotherapy from Sai Institute of Paramedical and Sciences and Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education from Vardhaman Mahaveer Open University Kota of Rajasthan as part of her academics. She has 9 years of amazing experience as an Academician and Clinician and throughout this journey, she has attended numerous workshops and seminars on various topics. And before joining SGVU, she has worked as a Clinical Physiotherapist at a prestigious hospital for 6 months, Assistant Professor in a reputed college for 1.5 years, Physiotherapist at CHC Kesrisinghpur Distt. Shri Ganganagar under National programme on prevention and control of cancer, diabetes, CVD, & stroke (NPCDCS) and National programme of health care for elderly (NPHCE) for 1.5 years, Lecturer for 2.5 years. She has excellent teaching, academic and PR skills and she has treated patients with Orthopedic problems like low back pain, post fracture stiffness, disc prolapse, Neurological problems like hemiplegia, paraplegia and hydrocephalus, Paediatric Neuro conditions like cerebral palsy and ICU and CCU patients. And for her amazing work in health sector and education she has received Gold Medal by Rajasthan University of Health Sciences & Mahatma Gandhi Medical College Jaipur in Graduation, Physiotherapy Excellence Award in RE-LIFE Conference, Academic Excellence Award in Physio Icon Award and Excellence Award in the field of Physiotherapy by Ambalika Productions in 2021, Academic Excellence Award by NIMS Medical College Conference in 2022, Women of Honor in FEMCON 2022 conference.

Suresh Gyan Vihar University

Which new courses are you offering in your Department and why is Physiotherapy important in today's time?

"We are providing BPT and MPT Degree courses at UG and PG level"

The Physiotherapy Department of our University is offering a Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree course at Undergraduate level, Masters of Physiotherapy at Postgraduate level to help students outperform and stand apart from the crowd. And if I talk about the benefits, Physiotherapy is a profession which assists and helps people to restore, maintain and maximize their strength, function, movement, and overall well-being and it primarily includes rehabilitation, prevention of injuries, and promotion of good health and fitness among people. And I believe due to all these factors, learning Physiotherapy has become so important nowadays. 

As Physiotherapy being a not so popular course, which factors make the programs of your University worth pursuing for students? 

"Associated career opportunities are the biggest factor that makes our Physiotherapy courses worth pursuing for students"

We are providing a 4 year BPT Degree course to students at UG level where they will be learning theoretical concepts and will be doing hands-on experiments as well by treating patients in hospitals during their training programs. And as far as I have observed the sector, students will have tremendous opportunities after successfully completing the courses from our university. And they can primarily work in the field of Sports & Fitness as Trainers, in Orthopaedics and Neurology Departments of hospitals as Consultants, in ICU of hospitals as Cardiorespiratory Therapist, as a Neuro Physiotherapist in Schools, can involve themselves in Research and Development sector or can even start their independent practice by setting up their own Clinic. Apart from this, graduates can become Professors or Teachers in various Schools or Universities and educate students and last but not the least, doors of opportunities are open for them in numerous government entities like Indian Railways, Army, RPSC, BHEL and AIIMS. 

Which best practices are offered by your department to students to help them gain necessary skills?

"We offer best possible consultation, care and treatment to our students family members and OPD patients"

In my opinion, the unique feature of our Physiotherapy department is its liveness as all students and faculty members regularly interact with each other in a professional manner and gives a homely sense of care to students to make them feel safe and comfortable with us. And we charge a very nominal fee from Patients who visit us for consultation and treatment and a friendly ambiance has been established too for them so that they can share their issues and disorders without any hesitation. In addition to this, regular follow up is done by our team to check the Improvement and progress of patients. And we provide the best practical knowledge and demo to our students about all techniques and methods that will be required to treat and whenever students visit us with their family members for consultation and treatment of any disorder, we try our best to give them the best possible solutions. 

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What approaches do you bring in apart from curriculum to train students of your University?

"Internships are mandatory for Undergraduate students and skill development programs are also organized on a regular basis"

We have adopted a wide variety of strategies altogether to educate and train students in accordance with development and requirements of the Physiotherapy domain so that students can provide best services to patients in future. And our Undergraduate courses are of 4.5 years where 4 years are reserved for delivering best theoretical and practical knowledge to students and the remaining 6 months are for them to pursue mandatory internships to utilize their classroom learning in real time scenarios. And the syllabus of all courses are designed in such a manner so that students can easily understand and grasp things and retain it for even a longer period of time. In addition to all this, we regularly organize soft skill training sessions to improve their communication skills, enhance their overall personality, their knowledge and make them confident and competent professionals.

What major developments are happening in the world of Physiotherapy and what opportunities it creates for students?

"Physiotherapy is very important nowadays because of its vast benefits and opportunities"

Physiotherapy is the most commonly prescribed treatment to assist patients in the recovery of many injuries and conditions like chronic pain, sports injuries, neurological disorders, orthopedic conditions including post fracture, post knee or hip replacement, rehabilitation and challenges related to mobility. And Physiotherapy not only heals and treats people but also creates awareness among them about good health. So, I firmly believe that students will have limitless scope after finishing their respective courses from our university as they can join Private Multi-speciality Hospitals and Clinics or even become an Entrepreneur, Sports Physiotherapist, Celebrity Physiotherapist, Professoror Research Scholar. And they can even join various state and central government entities or involve themselves in social work as a Volunteer. 

In your opinion, what major challenges are being faced by today's Physiotherapists and educators? 

"Unavailability of proper infrastructure and teaching-learning resources is a real challenge for us"

As we all know, the basic job of a Physiotherapist is to lift patients out of their beds and help them during their walk or floor exercises. And Therapists are on their feet throughout the treatment phase, guiding the patient to achieve their physical health objectives. And, major challenges in my opinion which our Physiotherapists and educators are facing nowadays are low wages, precarious infrastructure and lack of materials. Along with this, Physical education is devalued, the space allocated is inadequate, and some people working without any commitment are creating havoc for their colleagues as well. So all these things together makes the environment very challenging and toxic sometimes. 

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Any precious advice which you would like to give to the students to cope up with the cut-throat competitive world?

"Be a human first if you want to become a Physiotherapist and keep upgrading your skills"

I would like to advise my dear students that they must have the heart of a human, a brain like a Scientist and hands of an Artist if they truly want to become a Physiotherapist. Because, a Physiotherapist gives life to years not years to life, so be proud of yourself if you are associated with this field and always keep an attitude of genuine love, care and affection for your patients and lastly keep upgrading your knowledge.