I would say that the biggest reward of entering the Physiotherapy profession is that you see people get better and that you feel like you are really helping people. Physiotherapy has its advantages of being able to work self-employed or travel around the world. There are many areas that a physiotherapist can specialize in, such as:
- Education
- Sports and community
- Elderly care
- Orthopaedics
- Mental health
- Private sector, private clinics and practices
- Voluntary organisations
- People with learning difficulties
Many Physiotherapists work in hospitals. They are needed in virtually every department, from general outpatients, to intensive care.
Usually to become a physiotherapist it takes a three-year degree course and this is full time study. There is a large amount of self-direct study and clinical placements. Accelerated physiotherapist programmes offer the ability to acquire a licence to practice physiotherapy if you have certain qualifications. A degree subject such as a biological science may be eligible. Successful graduate will be able to apply for state registration and member of Chartered Society of Physiotherapists. (physioroom, n.d.).
There are many routed to gain entry to a BSc in physiotherapy. The usual route is A-levels. Most universities are looking for high grades in science subjects such as AAB. For mature students with no formal qualifications, a kite marked access course in health related subjects, usually a distinction and merits at level 3. The majority of physiotherapy courses are funded by the NHS with a bursary to cover the costs of the course. (NHS.UK, n.d)
Gaining work experience would be helpful for the application to university, but can be difficult to organise as most Physiotherapy departments are already under huge workloads and lots of pressure. Admissions tutors are usually looking for evidence that you have to ability to communicate well with all ages and sections of the community, and can cope with bodily fluids, illness and disability.
List of areas for work experience could include:-
- Sports clinics
- Football clubs/ Specialist schools
- Nursing homes / Elderly
- Units for disabilities
- St Johns Ambulance society
- MS society
Many Physiotherapy programmes or hospital departments usually hold an open day during the year (csp.org.uk, n.d.)
I would say every job can have its disadvantages, and I am sure physiotherapy will have its fair share. Lot’s of people may say that it’s a demanding job, or the hours are unsociable, no doubt they would be within the NHS, but I would at least be doing something which I enjoy doing, I think helping people get better will have to outweigh any disadvantages anyway. I would say things could get very stressful in the emergency department for a physiotherapist. Bethal.J The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust. (2005 May 13th) states that:
The disadvantages of employing physiotherapist practitioners in EDs mostly relate to their caseloads being so specific that, in smaller EDs in particular, there may simply be too few patients to make the role worthwhile. This can be offset, however, by the potential benefits of employing physiotherapist practitioners in review clinics. The narrow focus of practice and clinical skills identified in this review can however fragment the care that physiotherapist practitioners provide. Physiotherapist practitioners may not be trained in applying POP, for example, so cannot care for some patients continuously from admission to discharge or referral. These disadvantages should influence and guide training programmes, and inform individual EDs, when the introduction of physiotherapist practitioners is being considered.
I think it depends on which area of physiotherapy someone goes into, of course emergency departments will be stressful in any area of specialism. I think having good communication skills, patience and an understanding nature will help in the physiotherapy role or any health related job. I do believe that I have these skills to get into Physiotherapy.
