A Memorable Start: Reflecting on My First Two Weeks as a Community Physiotherapist
Looking back on my first two weeks as a community physiotherapist, so much has occurred quickly.
My experience began with a whirlwind induction day in which I was to learn all the ins and outs of the company and its processes in approximately half a day. Meeting the team and speaking to them, however, eased my anxiety as everyone was very welcoming and hospitable; the black tea made by Ben was a standout!
Shadowing Annie that afternoon was a great learning experience, we began with a hydrotherapy session at GESAC followed by visits to age care centres to complete exercise-based physiotherapy sessions. I didn’t thank Annie enough for asking her so many questions, she is a great physio and helped me learn a lot that day.
Embracing Challenges and Successes on My First Day as a Physiotherapist
My first day on the job began with some morning sunshine and a cup of black coffee, my AeroPress broke so I had to make coffee on the stove, suffice to say the sunrise was the only highlight of the morning. Once I hit the road, however, it was a marvelous drive, and I began the day working on upper limb strength and hand dexterity exercises with my client. It was a challenging session that required me to think critically about my choice of exercises, particularly as the functional assessment showed deficits at both the neurological and musculoskeletal levels. I also utilised my manual therapy skills to assist my client with his ongoing neck pain. The day progressed quickly, but I felt accomplished that evening reflecting on it.
A thought on the Craig Jacobs motivational interviewing talk; Craig delved into many topics of how to navigate motivational interviewing however what stood out to me the most was his emphasis on being an attentive listener and allowing the client to express themselves without constant interruptions. I implemented this small but powerful tool into my practice the following day and noticed how much more expressive my clients were; sometimes less is more, even in physiotherapy.
Inspiring Client Resilience and Personal Growth in My Second Week as a Physiotherapist
My second week was very fast-paced and had it not been for my trusty notebook I wouldn’t have been able to keep track of all my racing thoughts. What has stood out to me the most is my clients’ inherent strength and determination regardless of their condition. One of my clients completes his entire exercise routine at 6 am and was ready for physiotherapy by 9 am, he expressed to me that his disability is merely an obstacle to his goals, It was truly motivating and strengthened my desire to continue being a physiotherapist.
Navigating Challenges and Celebrating Connections: Reflections on a Dynamic Start as a Physiotherapist
The start of my experience was not all smooth sailing however, I had a difficult encounter with a client in which he expressed his frustrations with physiotherapy. Unfortunately, I had to bear the brunt of his frustrations, Upon reflection, I was able to appreciate this client’s expressions, he was unhappy that his previous stints with physio were unsuccessful, but I still provided him with an opportunity to express those thoughts because he felt unheard. I’d like to think that it was the right thing to do, regardless, it was still a great learning opportunity.
And finally, it was lovely meeting the entire team at the holiday party event. It was a standout afternoon filled with great food and lots of laughs. I look forward to building on these relationships and being a great contributor to the team.
