Returning to education

Hi Everyone.

I am seeking some advice with a dilemma. I am 28 years of age and considering returning to education to pursue a Masters in Physiotherapy (2 years). I need to sit the GAMSAT to gain entry into the programme, which will be difficult coming from a non-science background.


I have a huge passion for fitness/health and could see myself enjoying this career vs. the area I am in at the moment (non health/science). I also feel I have the characteristics to make an accomplished physiotherapist.

I am based in Ireland and obtaining work experience is near impossible. I would really like first-hand experience first before I commit such a substantial amount of money to it. There is also the question about the apparent lack of jobs in Ireland at the moment for physiotherapists.

So, any advice from students/physiotherapists out there, is it really worth it? Am I too old to start in such a field? Any advice on how to optimise my free time to gain a better understanding for the field? Book recommendations?

Thanks everyone.

Hi,
a) I think it's worth it. I love my job and my profession.
b) No, you're no too old. Not at all.
c) You are eligible for a 2 yr Masters in Physio without a scientific background? That's strange.
d) I have also heard that the job situation in Ireland is not very good at all.
e) Free time: work experience is very difficult in any medical profession due to issues with confidentiality. As far as I know there are no books. You could start with a First Aid certificate, study communication and education (children and adults) and maybe look at basic anatomy.

Otherwise, I hope you also have a huge passion for 'unfitness' and diseases, because that's what you're mainly be dealing with. :)
What are the characteristics to make an accomplished Physio? You made me curious - I'd really like to know this.

Cheers,
Fyzzio

Hi,

Yes, eligible for a Masters without any scientific background. However, I must sit the GAMSAT/MCAT.

Apparently jobs are very scarce in the public sector, but some are opening up within the private sector.

Would you recommend any anatomy book in particular that is geared towards physiotherapists?

Characteristics? I would have thought you needed to be patient, focused, have a real passion for what you do.

What kind of hours would a full-time physio be working in a public hospital?

Thanks.

Hi,
there are no special anatomy books geared for Physios. Not sure what you mean, but anatomy is the same - whether you study medicine or Physio. Just remember that it will be very difficult to learn any theory without a practical component. Oh, maybe you could ask your uni for a booklist from previous years.

I think passion is the biggest misconception. I don't think that it has ever ben researched :) but I believe that most Physio students haven't got a clue about what Physio actually incorporates when they start to study. (including me)

Working hours depend on the hospital. Not sure what it is like in Ireland or the UK at the moment, but commonly it was 08.00 - 4.30pm or so; after hour on-call is rostered, as are weekends and public holidays.

Goo luck with the MCAT.

Hi,

Thanks again for the reply.

I agree with you regarding that students don't have a clue what physio incorporates - would it be too much to ask to explore your role in a bit more detail?

I luckily obtained one day work experience in a local sports injury clinic, so that will give me some insight to what it is all about. As an outsider going in to that environment for work experience, is there anything I should take note off?

Thanks

Hi,
can I suggest you have a look at a typical curriculum? I'm sure there are some available online.
Sports Injury treatments are a part of Physio - that's the part everyone knows about. Other than back pain. :)
There are some major areas: Trauma/ Orthopaedics, Musculoskeletal, Neurology, Respiratory, Paediatrics, Care of the Elderly, Mental Health and Gynaecology (I hope I haven't forgotten any). Within these, again there are areas of specialities.
E.g.: Neurology: acquired medical, traumatic, spinal, degenerative; Gynae: surgery, obstetrics; Respiratory: medical, surgical, intensive care, chronic, rehab; Orthopaedics: trauma, elective, ....

The list is endless, but all will be covered within your studies.

Cheers, Fyzzio

You're not too old to start in such field.