Physiotherapy is one of the essential health professions. It has been recognized early as an art and science contributing to health development and disease prevention through an advanced understanding of body movement and mechanics. It plays a role in diverse and interconnected diagnoses of symptoms, diseases, and injuries. It provides different therapeutic methods to patients, including physical exercises, thermal, hydro, electric, light, manual, respiratory therapies, and more. These therapeutic methods target many medical conditions, including congenital deformities in children, back and neck pain, sports injuries, brain and spinal cord injuries, postural deviations, peripheral nerve injuries, rehabilitation of fractures and bones, post-operative respiratory therapy, and many other cases in which Physiotherapy is an integral part of their comprehensive treatment plan.
Passing the General Secondary Examination (Tawjihi), or its equivalent with an average of at least 70% in scientific stream.
To be accepted in this major, students must pass all of the following courses with an average of no less than 70%:
- Introduction and Principles of Physical Therapy (540111)
- Anatomy of Muscles and Bones (1) (530131)
- Anatomy of Muscles and Bones (2) (540132)
Credit hours required for obtaining the degree in this program:
| Total | Free | Major Requirements (85) | Faculty Requirements | University Requirements | |||
| 143 | 6 | Elective | Compulsory | Elective | Compulsory | Elective | Compulsory |
| 4 | 81 | 3 | 22 | 3 | 24 | ||
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs): Upon the completion of this specialization, students are expected to be able to:
- Manage patient files (interview patients and record their medical history).
- Evaluate, plan, and implement therapeutic programs for various medical conditions, especially in orthopaedics, neurology, cardiology, pulmonology, and paediatrics.
- Practice manual therapy skills, such as massage, assisting and transferring patients, and lifting.
- Utilize various electrotherapy and physical agents, including heat and cold therapy, traction, compression, ultrasound, hydrotherapy, diathermy, infrared, ultraviolet, and laser therapy.
- Apply therapeutic exercises for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, including postural analysis, gait training, muscle strengthening for flexibility, periodic respiratory training, weight loss, balance and neuromuscular coordination, and functional training.
- Have Specialized knowledge and application in prosthetics and assistive devices, guiding patients in using mobility aids like crutches, wheelchairs, parallel bars, walking, climbing, and descending stairs.
- Design treatment plans, setting goals, and devising means to achieve those goals based on relevant clinical outcomes, precautions, and contraindications for therapeutic methods.
- Implement specialized treatment plans in physical therapy, utilizing various diverse and integrated therapeutic methods.
- Periodically reassess the patient’s condition and clinical progress in response to the provided treatment.
- Document and clinically present the medical cases handled by the physical therapist.
Potential workplace: Graduates can work in/for:
- Hospitals
- Outpatient health clinics
- Specialized rehabilitation centers for spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, and strokes
- Pediatric rehabilitation centers
- Elderly care and nursing homes
- Private clinics
- Public and private schools
- Home-based physical therapy
- Community rehabilitation programs
- Specialized research centers
- Fitness centers, health clubs, sports, and tourism facilities
- Specialized academic institutions teaching physical therapy and rehabilitation
Potential Job Titles: Physiotherapist