Work Experience- Ireland

[DylanMc111]

Hi,

I am 28 and considering a career in Physiotherapy. At the moment I am applying to Uni's here in Ireland as a graduate and hoping to gain a place on one of their programmes. However, I first want to gain some exposure to the field and shadow a Physiotherapist. Can anyone recommend how I approach this? Most hospitals are not willing to letting an outsider in for some work exp. to their Physio. Dept.

Any advice would be great

Thanks

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[Fyzzio]

Hi,
have you tried private practices or Rehab Centres? Might be a bit easier there.
But I can also not give you much hope. We have to deal with privacy laws that require each patient to consent to the therapist and treatment; now imagine every patient having to consent to a curious stranger coming to have a look - even if you have the best intentions.
I completely understand you, but the legal implications of simply shadowing a Physio at work are enormous.
Sorry,
Fyzzio

[Eskfan]

Hi Dylan.
Here in Canada we have lots of potential physio students shadowing our Physios. It is the best way to see what the job is really like before you give your life over to the profession! Verbal consent by the patient is sufficient here to allow potential students to observe. If the patient does not consent, the student goes back to the office and reads a physio article until the next patient arrives and we try again. The vast majority of the patients have no trouble at all with having a student observing their care, especially if the Physiotherapist explains the situation to them well in the first place! Don't give up...I have probably had 20 potential students shadow me over the years!