NZ reg: more than 10 years in private practice

[physiomitch]

Hi all

I am looking into NZ registration as a means of getting into Oz eventually. The competencies all relate to the past 10 years of work, and it seems most Physios answering questions here have used Uni curriculum and Info for their answers which fits within that 10 years, but I have been in private practice for 15 years, and thus am unable to use the Uni info etc. Anyone out there with info on filling in the competencies who has been in practice for > 10 yrs? Please help.

Thanks

Pete

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[stwrtharrison]

Hi Pete.
It seems we are in a similar position. I have just started compiling my portfolio and, apart from my lack of Cardiopulmonary experience over the last 10 years, have similar concerns about how to validate a lot of what looks to be academic content (particularly competency 1). There is a physio on the iCSP forum who gained registration after 14 years specialising in Paeds so she may have some useful insights - I'll be e-mailing her tonight.
I would be more than happy to keep in contact with you through the registration process, either through the forum posts or personal messages. I'm sure we would both benefit.
Stu

[physiomitch]

Hi Stu

Nice to hear I am not drowning alone!! Contacted another physio who has already doen the NZ route and been in Oz for 6 years. She is out here giving courses at the moment. She also had a similar situation and what she did was a weekend course on Cardiovascular work and then did about 7 case studies on each component, ie casrdio and neuro. She does think think she went overboard and said maybe 3 to 5 on each would suffice. There is a respiratory update course on 19th April this year, details from [email protected] I will probably be going on this one to catch up and will keep an eye on any cardioresp courses in the near future. I'm still waiting to get all my info from my Uni in South Africa where I studied, so there will be a longish delay. If all this goes too slowly I might just write the Sept exam for the Oz physio council assessment, but I am trying to avoid it if I can. It would be great to keep in contact during this phase, my email is [email protected] I have some info from websites, you might already have, concerning how to complete the portfolio, so we could possibly share info. Let me know.

Cheers

Pete

[physiomitch]

PS There is also a Neuro course in Feb and March (during the week though) info from [email protected] All these are in Frontline mag. As for the case studies I am waiting to hear if this physio treated her own patients for the studies or used notes from other physios in neuro and cardio. If you know of any physio specialising in these fields it is worth getting to know them better...

Pete

[physiomitch]

Another thing.
Do you have a CPD portfolio set up? I have nothing formal, but also have not attended many course as my work has specialised in Myofascial release massage over the last 15 years and there is not a lot on that subject. I do a lot of reading to keep in touch but when you see things from a fascial point of view it makes a lot of the orthodox approaches seem unnecessary. Anyway if you have ideas on CPD let me know.

Pete

[stwrtharrison]

Hi Pete.

Good to get a reply. I'm interested to know a bit more about the case studies. I've checked out the course you mentioned and will be signing up for it tonight, there should be plenty of time between now and then to read up enough theory to answer sensible questions on the day.
I'll start e-mailing you direct shortly. Hopefully a few more posts may encourage a few responses from elsewhere.

Stu

[stwrtharrison]

Hi again Pete, I think I'll give the neuro course a miss for now, or at least until I realise that my neuro experience in the last 10 years is wholly inadequate. I have a friend from school who has a masters in Cardiopulmonary and his wife has a masters in Neuro so maybe I should call in a few favours - if I have any that is.

[stwrtharrison]

Hi again Pete, I have complete empathy for your CPD portfolio dilemma. I have worked for myself and locumed for most of my career so my learning needs revolved around how to get paid (ethically I should add ). I had to present my CPD portfolio at a job interview last year, having decided on finding some stability while applying NZ. At the point of receiving an offer of an interview my portfolio didn't exist so essentially I went back through my courses and gathered certificates and then did a lot of retrospective reflection on past incidents. Anyway, I got the job so it seemed to work.
I have never been of great fan of formalised reflective learning as so much of what goes on in my mind gets lost when trying to record what went on during a "learning event" it inevitably becomes a lip service exercise. But it is a recognised learning activity and that what counts. These are the tools we can use to jump through the hoops.
By the way Pete, where are you besed?

Stu

[stwrtharrison]

Pete, I have found and applied for a place on what appears to be a more relevant course for our purposes. To quote " The course is ideal for junior and senior II staff and those requiring a revision in respiratory care. It has excellent relevance for final year students wishing to further their knowledge at an early stage."

http://www.physiobob.com/physiothera...px?iJobID=3013

The lecturer is Alex Hough, I don't know about you but it was Alex's book we used as undergraduates.

Stu

[physiomitch]

Hi Stu

I am based in Burton on Trent, just between Derby and Birmingham...beer country! What about you?

Pete

[MamaMaya]

Hi Guys, I thought I'd speak up here, as I'm in much the same situation. I just got back from a Cardiorespiratory update course in Brisbane, OZ. I'll be taking a neuro course in a couple weeks. What are you guys doing about research? I haven't done anything since Uni, which was 11 years ago. I've thought of all sorts of ways to "catch up" but haven't convinced myself that any of my ideas are worth the extravagant effort (ie, performing a study on my own, here in Australia, when I don't even have a license to practice!) Any thoughts? Where are you guys on this one? Maya

[physiomitch]

Hi Maya

As far as I have been able to suss out from previous forums and other contacts, research can also include any reading of research, discussions with other physios, critique of research papers. Basically anything you have looked at that can improve your practice in general. It does not always necessarily mean you have to do a research project.

Pete

[Fyzzio]

Yes, I agree. Have also heard that people use participation in journal clubs, or attendance at a conference, as proof of commitment to evidence-based practice. And any PPpresentations that you might have done, which include a reference list etc.
Good luck, Fyzzio

[stwrtharrison]

Hi Maya, I'm fighting the urge to try and prove I am currently competent in all areas, so the initial aim of my application is to show that I have shown competency in all the required areas in the last 10 years. I have limited neuro and respiratory experience but perhaps enough. I'll have to watch out for sounding too apologetic in my application.
Am doing a respiratory update course next month and spending a few days with my friend who is a respiratory physio. I'm not sure how beneficial this will be to my portfolio.
As far as research goes I'll have to cross that bridge when I come to it. Any research I have done since Uni has been based around critiquing the evidence base for what I do in order to justify it (or in most cases justify not doing something). Whether this is sufficient I'm not sure.
Hope this helps.
Stu

[manishjain88]

Hello All,

I am sorry for entering late into the forum. Please accept my apologies if this causes any inconvenience to anyone.

I am also wishing to register myself with Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand and need a bit of your consultancy/advice on the same. I hope you won't mind guiding me through the process.

I am a Physiotherapist with over 10 yrs. of experience having seen OPD and IPD patients with acute cases. I am presently based in India and a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from NIRTAR, India.

A brief of my profile is:

Experience: Over 10 years of experience as a Physiotherapist having seen OPD and IPD patients including acute cases.

Registrations: Registered with Delhi Council of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
Also, Member of Indian Association of Physiotherapists (MIAP)

Please suggest if you see any chances of me gaining registration with the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand. Will my being 10 yrs. experienced in India be a positive or negative point?

I eagerly look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks and best regards

[JulesB]

physiomitch and pete how have you got on? I've been in private practice and sports physio for 10 yrs and just starting the registration process...looks very daunting which is why I keep putting it off! some positive feedback on how you're doinbg would encourage me!

[physiomitch]

Hi Jules B

True it is daunting. I am originally from South Africa too, so being in the UK and trying to get my uni transcripts etc is proving a bit of a problem, but hopefully will get there slowly. Using all my contacts there...As for the competencies, it does seem endless. What I have done is set up a table with 3 headings (landscape) 'Competency' (eg 1.1.2), 'Description' (what the competency is "Analyse the ...) and 'Evidence' (references). I have then written all the competencies in the rows as described in the competency list, and jotted down possible evidence for each one, eg case studies, colleague reference, books, courses, etc to match each competency. I am now going through each one I feel comfortable answering and writing a short answer with reflective statements as how I might meet the competencies. Remember they are only looking for graduate level answers so we don't have to go overboard and don't write an essay. Be concise. I will then try and gather references for each one, write case studies from patients I have seen in each category of cardio-resp, musculoskeletal and neuro to match the competency. I am hoping to go on a cardio-resp update course sometime to use as ref, otherwise ref to literature or even do some ward rounds at a local hospital, as I do not do this in private practice. I will also need to update my neuro work, so will have to find a neuro physio and ask to observe. Literature can also help, having the latest info on hand to reference from.

At the moment I am also giving lectures country-wide and working full-time in my practice so time is little but one competency at a time and it will slowly get less. I have found though, having put everything in table format it is all visible and easier to see the bigger picture. Try that first then work through them one at a time. If you want to give me your email I can let you see what I have done to give you an idea.

Honestly I cannot see them turning down someone with more than 10 yrs experience if you have been practicing all this time. All you need to do is fill the gaps where you feel you come short in practice, like me with cardio-resp and neuro. The others should be easier to answer with case studies. Remember you can use one piece of evidence as a reference for more than one competency, eg a case study of treatment of a patient with musculoskeletal condition using electrotherapy and manual techniques may be used to ref for competencies 1.2.3 and 1.2.6

Hope this helps. This thread is specifically for this to assist both ways. Keep in contact.

Pete (by the way I am physiomitch)

[JulesB]

Thanks Pete, really helpful advice!
I have taken few days off to get it going as otherwise am too busy with work as it sounds you are.
happy to exchange examples once I've made a significant start this week I hope!

Cheers, Julie

[MamaMaya]

Hi Guys.
My head is swimming after 3 courses in 6 weeks, all traveling weekends. I'm glad Jules jumped in on the thread. I needed a kick in the pants to get down to writing some case studies. And observing - thanks for that idea.

Pete, I have a couple ideas for CPD portfolio for you. Can I send you an email about that? My email is [email protected]. I'd love to be in touch with you guys as we get through this together.

Stu, can you help me on a simple thing? What does "formalized reflective learning" sound like? It seems to be a code word for a type of exam answer that wasn't part of my schooling in the US. Can you elaborate? I'm going to need to do some "reflecting" to justify my research competencies.

I'll get to work on my cardio case study first. We did a couple in the refresher course itself that I can write up. I'm also happy to share. I don't have *time* to go overboard, but I do want to get it right the first time.

Maya

[physiomitch]

Hi Maya

My email address is [email protected]

One thing about research is that we need to remember they are looking for graduate level, so as a new grad there was not a lot of experience in this. We can use reflective statements on how we have read research, can do a little critique of a research article, show how reading research and applying the results of a research article in to your practice, etc. Not everyone has time to do a full-blown research project, so I don't think this is what we are looking for. Even being involved in forums on particular subjects is a form of research. Reading literature is research as long as it applies to your work and can improve your abilities.

Reflective is about thinking back on what you have done in the past and writing a short appraisal of this as proof you have competency in a particular area.

I have a question for any of you on the thread. Competency 10 is supposed to reflect all 3 of cardio-resp, musculosk, and neuro, yet 10.5 is the only one that seems to fit this bill. Do we need to show competency in all 3 areas for all of competency 10? Eg. 'Abide by legal requirements' and 'Demonstrate ethical practice' Any ideas.

[JulesB]

I would presume keeping it general would cover all areas, just looking back through uni stuff (the little bits i've kept!) and legal aspects of health care, ethical considerations, religious beliefs etc were all general health care system topics. Perhaps a validation of work history letter could include that you abide by such things in your practice and could be used as evidence in all 3 areas? what does anyone else think?
Jules

[physiomitch]

Yes colleague validations useful, could also quote local Physio association guidelines as to safe practice, indemnities, etc. Just not sure whether we need to prove this in all 3 areas?? Reflective statements again?? 'Demonstrate Autonomous Practice' can be covered by work experience validations and possibly case studies again, referencing case studies also use for competencies 1 thru 4.

[HelenW]

Sorry if I am jumping in to a thread that is not relevent to me. I am not very practiced at using forums.

I am just starting the process of writing my profile for NZ registration. I am hoping to go out in December but all I have heard is horror stories about how long and complicated the process is. I have downloaded all the info from the website and read all your posts which were very helpful.I have just under two years experience as a rotational junior. Does anyone have an estimate on how long I can expect it to take to put a good profile together or how to get hold of examples of what the board are looking for? Any tips would be most welcome as I am tearing my hair out.

[JulesB]

Hi Helen
I'm doing the same at the moment. The NZ board website say its 9 weeks from receiving it, one of the other posts on this said it took a few months and 6 months to put together! I maybe still naive and too optimistic but am hoping to get it all together in a month and be there asap!!
Jules

[JulesB]

Pete
I have re-read competency 10 and think you're right, it needs all 3 areas however tedious the referencing is!
Jules