About the Project: This community hospital provides an excellent opportunity for trained physiotherapist or those looking for an electives placement.The Physio department here is well equipped and run by a dedicated team who regularly provide training for Indian medical interns.
You can undertake your Physiotherapy course elective at the hospital.
Based in
Chennai, you will be ideally placed to explore this ‘Gateway to South India’ where women still wear beautiful bright sarees and coconuts are sold on every street corner.
Your Role: You will work 5 days a week along with the physio department
team to assess, treat and monitor amputation patients both from a post operative perspective and also pre / post fitting of prosthetic limbs. There are also out patient treatments undertaken in the department. Your program will depend on your level of skills and areas of interest.
If you wish to undertake your physio elective here we will confirm with the hospital that the syllabus you are following can be covered in the time you have in country. If you are a qualified physiotherapist you will meet with the Director of the Hospital and the head of department to develop a structured work program for the duration of your stay.
What you Gain: This is a wonderful opportunity to work in a community hospital that sees itself as a family organization. The leprosy patients at this hospital are well known to the doctors due to the length of time they have been coming for treatment.
You will see first hand the way health care is delivered in a developing country, how the hospital runs and is funded and the restrictions faced compared with western health care systems.
You also get a chance to live and work alongside the local community who come into the hospital either as out patients or for longer durations. Becoming ill just adds another challenge to these lovely people to those that they face on a daily basis.
This placement would of course give you valuable experience if you are a qualified physiotherapist or in training.
Skills and Experience Required: This is a well run hospital with a dedicated Board and Director. You need to show similar dedication in wanting to learn and take as much from the placement as possible.
- Be a part qualified / qualified physiotherapist.
- Bring energy and enthusiasm to the hospital.
- Communicate clearly and effectively with the members of the staff.
- Have patience and a sympathetic ear.
Accommodation: Wherever possible you will stay in an Indian home or share an apartment with other Gap year volunteers. Home-stay hosts are carefully selected for quality and safety and you would normally share a non-air conditioned room.