Physiotherapist Susan Niam helps patients sit, walk and run.

Thirteen years ago, the university course that interested Susan Niam was not even offered as a degree course.

Susan headed to Auckland Institute of Technology on a scholarship administered by the Public Service Commission to do a three-year diploma in physiotherapy. At that time, this was the only university that offered a course in physiotherapy.

Before embarking on the course, Susan, now 33, read up on the occupation and spoke to people who had undergone physiotherapy. She even visited hospitals to see physiotherapists at work. There, she witnessed patients who, through physiotherapy, regained full function of their limbs.

Such incidents motivated her and sealed her decision to enter this profession. Explaining her choice, she said: "I was quite focused. I knew what I wanted, and this was the only university at that point of time that offered physiotherapy." She returned home undaunted by the eight-year bond that awaited her.

In 2000, she was promoted to manager of the physiotherapy department at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. While her administrative duties include planning for new services, Susan also sees patients with neurological problems - she teaches those who have suffered strokes or Parkinson's disease to get out of bed, sit or walk.

Susan emphasizes that physiotherapy is not about massaging muscles and just teaching patients how to walk. "Some of the exercises look simple enough and look as though anybody can do it, but if you were to process the whole exercise together, it's not that simple."

Sharpening one's skills for the job is important, she noted. "But another important aspect is handling the patients, knowing their needs, and getting to know them. That's very important in order for them to optimize their functions," she said.

"It's not just you do things physically for them. You also need to gain their respect and trust. That is something that I've learnt, and I try to teach to my colleagues as well," she said. And she can attest to this fact - some of her former patients still keep in touch with her. One even invited her for dinner so that she could see how well he had progressed after undergoing physiotherapy.

Her advice for those interested in physiotherapy is to talk to physiotherapists and observe their work. Since the beginning of the year, a few A-level students have visited her at the hospital to talk to her about her work.

She said: "I like to show them what it is - to get to know our patients, to get to know the job, and get to see us at work, not just for one day, because that's not enough.

"They've got to be here for a few days, preferably about two weeks, so that they can look at the progress, and decide for themselves if this is what they want.

"It takes up a lot of time," she added. "But I think it's useful, as this is the best way to find out if physiotherapy is the right profession for them."

Where scholarships are concerned, Susan is all for an overseas university education. In New Zealand, her course required students to visit hospitals and old folks homes and talk to people from different backgrounds. She said: "I have a better perspective of different settings and cultures."

She added that taking on a scholarship is not just about prestige. "There's a career path for them, and that's very important."