Physiotherapy Career & Community Impact

Physiotherapy Journey

  • Started with a shoulder injury during a cricket game in year 12.

  • Inspired by a physiotherapist during rehabilitation.

  • Studied physiotherapy at Otago, a four-year degree.

  • Postgraduate entry available at Auckland (Master's of Physiotherapy).

Early Career

  • Initial focus on sports physiotherapy.

  • First job at Anglesey Sports Medicine.

  • Worked with Waikato Maori team (Tainui Waka Rugby).

  • Involved with Waikato Football and Claudelands Rovers.

  • Participated in the World Cup at Carapiro Regatta.

  • Involved with the first Farapama Cup (women's rugby).

Overseas Experience

  • Worked in London due to the high value placed on New Zealand degrees.

  • New Zealand degrees are well-rounded due to exposure to global research.

  • Traveled extensively in Europe, taking advantage of proximity.

Transition to Public Health

  • Shift from sports physiotherapy to address underrepresentation in healthcare.

  • Worked part-time at Waikato Hospital and part-time privately.

Public vs. Private Practice

  • Public hospital: Exposure to diverse medical conditions and collaboration with various health professionals.

  • Private practice: Higher earning potential.

  • Public hospital work seen as a service to the community, providing care regardless of financial status.

Misconceptions About Physiotherapy

  • Not solely focused on sports; sports is just one aspect.

  • Involves neurorehabilitation, working with stroke, heart attack, and brain injury patients.

  • Not primarily about massage.

  • Focuses on improving function and movement for individuals affected by injury, disability, or health conditions.

Vocational Health

  • Worked at Tutonu, collaborating with Western medicine and traditional Maori medicine.

  • Vocational health involves helping individuals return to work after injury, often under ACC contracts.

  • ACC provides 80% of salary during injury.

  • Multidisciplinary team approach: physios, medical doctors, rongoa therapists, health coaches, acupuncturists.

Te Whare Tapa Whā Model

  • Emphasizes physical, spiritual, family, and mental/emotional well-being.

  • Holistic approach: addressing all aspects of health for effective rehabilitation.

  • Impact of stress on physical health.

  • People off work on compensation have worse outcomes than those not on compensation.

Giving Back to the Community

  • Worked in Taupiroa and Tamaranui to provide equity of care.

  • Equity vs. equality: Equity means providing more resources to those with less access.

Collaborative Work

  • Working closely with exercise trainers, occupational therapists, medical professionals, nurses, and health promotion.

  • Exercise trainers are crucial in both private practice and DHB settings.

Challenges in Physiotherapy

  • Patient compliance with exercises and rehab strategies.

  • Trick to improve compliance: ask patients to demonstrate the exercise to ensure correct form.

Physiotherapy Education

  • Otago: Four-year bachelor's degree.

  • AUT and Wintec also have physiotherapy schools.

  • Auckland University: Two-year Master's program for those with a Bachelor of Science.

Job Opportunities

  • High demand for physiotherapists worldwide.

  • Focus on gaining experience and skills initially, rather than prioritizing money.

Health Coaches

  • Support clients through rehab, ensuring compliance with exercises.

  • Employed by Waikato Hospital and GP clinics (Health Improvement Practitioners - HIP).

Equations

  • Percentage of salary compensation: 80%80\%