Category: Alumni

Alumni

Dr. Arham Jain (PT)

Post author By Maria Dalal
Post date February 14, 2020

Batch (Year of joining) 2013-14

What parts of your job do you find most challenging?

It is emotionally draining to treat patients who have been through traumatic illnesses or injuries and have become dependent and don’t have enough family or financial support.

What is the most rewarding or enjoyable part of your job?

Meeting new people, interacting with them. Getting to see and think about life from their point of view, seeing them improve functionally and become capable of doing activities which they had lost hope upon. Helping them build a positive image of themselves and being able to reduce their pain and suffering. Making them independent which is the most valuable aspect of life and we often underestimate it.

Considering all the people you’ve met in your field, what personal attributes are essential for success?

Management. The way you manage your day be it time management, financial management, social life management, emotional management, defines your success.

What do you wish you would have known your first day of graduate school?

Professionally I’m sure that as time passes you’ll be perfect in your skills. But it’s your perspective which will make sure how soon you become perfect. Be patient. Everything happens for a reason. You’ve to be positive about situations and come out of it. Trust your instincts. It’s ok to be unsure sometimes. Take your time and go ahead. Be with people who give you good positive vibes.

How did the institute help you be who you are today?

I feel blessed to be an alumnus of Somaiya. The professors and staff have been really helpful. It’s their knowledge and experience which has made me a capable Person and a capable Physiotherapist.

Tags advice, perspective, positivity

Alumni

Dr. Nice Matthew (PT)

Post author By Maria Dalal
Post date February 9, 2020

Batch (Year of joining) 2005

Could you describe one of your typical workdays?

I am an assistant professor in the Physiotherapy department of Sapthagiri Medical College. Post college hours, I consult patients in the private clinic I run.

What parts of your job do you find most challenging?

To keep myself updated on the latest research from all over the world.

What is the most rewarding or enjoyable part of your job?

When I can impart the knowledge I gained to my students and when see them apply it on their patients and the outcomes are great, it is very satisfying.

Considering all the people you’ve met in your field, what personal attributes are essential for success?

Hard work, dedication, consistency, perseverance, to have faith in oneself and dream above all and live those dreams!

What do you wish you would have known your first day of graduate school?

To have faith in myself and to dream high. I did not know how vast the field of physiotherapy is. I want to take a step higher every day- I want to attend more workshops from only the best and practice what I learn as part of my research.

What educational preparation would you recommend for someone who wants to advance in this field?

Know the subject well- in and out, manual therapy is an adjunct to recovery, and the importance of exercise physiology.

What professional journals and organizations should I be aware of?

IJOSPT , JCDR, IJPMR, IJPR, IJHSR

How did the institute help you be who you are today?

It made me think analytically about every aspect of clinical practice- apart from the professional skills. I am proud to have been a part of KJ Somaiya. Thank you to all my teachers and fellow mates , seniors and juniors alike.

What developments do you see in your field that could affect future opportunities?

Firstly, I see a larger number of PT students graduating every year which will drastically increase competition for opportunities of current demand. This will lead to physiotherapist working for a lower pay so as to get the job. Many correspondent courses have diluted the quality of the field. My sincere advice to the budding physiotherapists would be not to rush into things and work at being a skilled person. Thank you!

Tags advice, perspective

Alumni

Dr. Farzan Kamdin (PT)

Post author By Maria Dalal
Post date February 9, 2020

Batch (Year of joining) 2014-15

Could you describe one of your typical workdays?

I am currently working in a private clinic. With me, every session has to be fun. Be it an 8:30 A.M. or a 6:30 P.M. appointment, the energy levels and the smile needs to be constant. I feel the best way to convince a client into believing in your therapy is by breaking the ice by cracking a lame joke. That puts them and their pain at ease.

What parts of your job do you find most challenging?

After leaving college, one of the toughest challenges I have faced is while treating the population age group of 25-45 years. Mind you, this group is so educated about everything that you need to have your anatomy and biomechanics at the tip of your tongue. I will not deny the fact that there were times, when I was afraid whether the patient would come back to me or not. But that’s how a fresher’s life is. It’s all a part of learning.

What is the most rewarding or enjoyable part of your job?

Since I deal with musculoskeletal and sports injuries, I tend to do a lot of manual therapy. The decrease in pain levels of the client within 1 to 3 sessions, ability to do their ADLs without discomfort and that smile on their faces with a kind thank you is the most rewarding thing for me, apart from the monthly salary! 😛

Considering all the people you’ve met in your field, what personal attributes are essential for success?

Dressing, Confidence, Communication, Listening.

What do you wish you would have known your first day of graduate school?

Breaking the communication barrier is difficult but rewarding, have a gentle attitude, and gradually wean of taking help of others and become independent with your treatment. I wish I would have known, how magical this noble profession of ours is. Note to my younger self: all those sleepless nights and 18 hours of sitting on the study table will be worth it in the future.

What preparation would you recommend for someone who wants to advance in this field?

I highly recommend taking at least a year of work experience before doing your masters, as this will let you know if you can slog yourself for 8-9hrs a day and if you actually build up interest in this, to do it for as long as you can.

What professional journals and organizations should I be aware of?

Very interesting question! To be able to provide evidence based treatment you need to be constantly on the go with the top physiotherapy journals like IJP, JP, etc. Pages on Instagram and Twitter are also very handy in learning new things for example the PHYSIO TUTORS, but be cautious.

How did the institute help you be who you are today?

The foundation of my basics was formed here, I learnt the importance of being punctual the hard way and the exposure to variety of cases is a plus.

What developments do you see in your field that could affect future opportunities?

Robots!

Tags advice, work

Alumni

Dr. Aastha Shah (PT)

Post author By Maria Dalal
Post date February 9, 2020

Batch (Year of joining) 2014

Could you describe one of your typical workdays?

Day starts at 8 with clinic. I leave the clinic at 4 in the afternoon, and then go for home visits.

What parts of your job do you find most challenging?

Analysis of patient symptoms and objective findings.

What is the most rewarding or enjoyable part of your job?

It is satisfying to see patients get back to their work/leisure/social life after their injury or illness.

Considering all the people you’ve met in your field, what personal attributes are essential for success?

Patience, communication– with the patient and with colleagues, determination to give your best towards patient care.

Which of your personal traits and professional skills help you the most?

Effective communication, observation (though there is tremendous scope for improvement).

What advice would you give to your younger self?

“Professionally : Question everything without feeling ashamed.

Personally : Make your life your responsibility. ”

If you’ve picked this field on your own terms, and if you like what you’re studying, you will excel, no matter what.

How did the institute help you be who you are today?

I was taught to ask questions, look up the answers myself and ask doubts. Patient care was given utmost importance, which has seeped into my character as I was moulded into a professional.

What developments do you see in your field that could affect future opportunities?

Newer techniques, modern machines for diagnoses and treatment, and increased awareness among the lay people will cause a propagation of the concept of physiotherapy. Most people even in cities are oblivious to physical therapy being an independent field of medicine.

Tags advice, communication