What kind of person makes a good physio? Might I?

I've recently become interested in exploring physiotherapy as a career. Would appreciate any comments on whether I might be suited to the field, as it is in practice, in Canada...

I like and am interested in people; I'm a natural listener and teacher. I'm patient. I get a thrill from creative problem-solving and daily variety, and am good with my hands. Have always had a more-than-casual interest in the human body, and medical issues in general, which I've only just identified as possibly important in a career.

(I work in non-profit research, and am sick to the gills of cubicle life; having whole projects depend on political whim; not *ever* seeing results for my individual efforts; it goes on. I'd like to do something direct and active. I'd considered other helping professions [social work, counselling] but feel I might prefer assisting people with discrete, practical problems that have a greater chance of being ameliorated in a shorter time frame.)

Part of what drew me to physio as an idea has been my own experience as a a patient. I know no one can comment directly on how much my own issues might interfere, but I do have occasional cervical, knee and ankle pain, and a little touch of hypermobility in both shoulders. Would this present significant limitations on working as a physio? How fit does should a practitioner be?

I was not an athlete as a youth (in fact, I struggled with dyspraxia), but have made great improvements in my coordination and balance through dance and fitness, and want to help spread good health!

If this matters - Myers-Briggs testing has consistently pegged me as an INFP. I'm only moderately introverted though - I infinitely preferred tutoring small groups to staring at computer screens.

Any responses are welcome - many thanks in advance!

Also: I'm 35. Don't know what the average lifespan of a physio career is, or how my relatively advanced age might impact this. I am, however, prepared to do as much upgrading as is required to make a change (if it's right)...

(Also: What is the procedure for requesting to shadow/observe a physio? I'm not currently enrolled in school.)

Thanks again!

Hi curious.

I think a keen will to learn - lifelong learning - is key to being a good physio. The day i reckon i know it all is the day i need a slap in the face (or worse!).

Age is not the issue. Nor gender.

it is where you choose to spend your time. It is asking the right questions. It is wanting to challenge established beliefs - even if it is just for the challenge.

I personally wouldn't let a member of the public who isn't in some form of training to be a physio or some other health professional just come and watch what i do...too many issues with explaining things, privacy etc...but that is me! I am sure perhaps a hospital or some other bigger place might be able to accommodate you.

The secret is getting thru your undergrad degree and realising it is simply the ticket that allows you to get on the bus to learning how to be a good physio. Too many kids come out thinking they can coast for a while.

Once you are graduated, find someone good to mentor you. In Canada, you have 2 of the world's best in Diane Lee and LJ Lee who are awesome clinicians. Find out from them who to hang around near you. Take their courses. Practice Practice Practice! Get jobs with them if possible, otherwise with people they recommend.

Good luck - i am sure you will be a great physio...BTW, i am between an ENTP and ENTJ - the P and J are only 1 point of difference apart! :)

Hi,
This is a very good post by the way. Although, experience is very important w/ implementing good quality patient care. I have worked in a subacute facility for almost 5 years in Ohio, USA. This is a very huge facility that has 17 therapists (includes PT, PTA, COTA, OT/R) that are assigned to usually 5-10 treatments a day. I have seen many people come and go, including students eager to learn and also share new information that they have learned at Cleveland State University. I had alot of oppportunity to watch, learn and ask questions to help further assist my learing experience in this field. This is a field that requires each discipline to further expand their knowledge by requiring 12 hrs a clinical education every two years, in order to keep your license.

Hi. This is a very good post by the way. I am currently a physical therapist assistant at a sub acute facility in Cleveland, OH USA. I have been at this facility for almost 5 years. This is a very big facility with 17 therapists (OT/OTR, PT, PTA) and each therapist is usually assigned 5-10 patients a day. I have seen many therapist/students come and go in the 5 years that I worked therre. I was able to get the opportunity to observe each therapist or student treat a patient and ask questions when needed. Physcial Therapy/Occupational therapy is an ever growing field and new information is coming forth every year. Each discipline is required to have 12-24 hrs of clinical education every two years in order to keep their license renewed. However, I find that the students and new grads are more eager to learn and are sponges for new information. Unfortunately, the burn out rate in this field seems to be any where from 5-10 years. The burn out rate is mostly common in a sub acute/LTC facilities. Where I am going at is, I think the quality of care does establish from good patient rapor as well. Due to the effects of burn out, the relationship between the patient and the clinician can often be jeporadized. I feel that the patient is willing to progress quicker when they have encouragement, sympathy and genuine honesty. Those traits can be compromised when the clinician has lost motivation and desire to put an extra mile. To sum up, a good clinician doesnt necessarly have to be the most knowledable but to be the most emphathetic

hi michele.

Thanks for your post. It is interesting you mention burnout...burnout occurs for different reasons (sorry for the obvious!) but i wonder if success has anything to do with it.

I know that the feeling i am helping people who have been everywhere and can't solve their problems and then for the first time in years they can now do [insert your key functional task here!] keeps me going...and i am sure we have all had those patients!

I think that if you can get yourself learning under people who are able to help people quite quickly and the patients say "wow" then i think this will help.

In Australia, i suspect that a lot of people might get burnt out by doing the same thing day in and day out like mobilisations, U/S, interferential etc. I would get bored if i were doing that too!

Obviously some people burnout because they work too long etc...I have just cut my clinical hours to about 35hours per week from about 50 but still probably work about 60 hours per week. I am now trying to develop all my courses and learning resources for different groups and it has me energised.

In the end, i think you need to have a passion for doing this...it is certainly not for the money!