Working in UK with bachelors??

[gcoe]

We only have 2 universities offering Physio and each provide a four year bachelors degree. The university I worked in had a health science year then two mainly pre clinical years although there was some limited clinical experience . Then the final year the students are placed almost fully in clinical practice except for conducting a research project. The other university has a a somewhat more integrated approach to the theory/practice mix

The physiotherapy board sets the competencies that the schools must meet in order to be accredited. However both schools use that more as a minimum standard and pitch their education above that standard. It is very much a generalist education. Any strengths or weaknesses tends to be driven by the calibre of the teaching and lecturing staff. We have close association with Australia so our standard generally must meet theirs. The standard is generally high. We are also lucky in that NZ has traditionally had a high profile in the physio world arena, given it's size. But it hadn't always been like that. For many years we languished behind Australia as the institutes at the time were not of university standard and the funding was poor. That changed at the end of the 90's.

Currently NZ is going through a funding crisis for physiotherapy and it really is a no growth area. This is partly due to a change in the funding from the country's accident and injury insurer and partly due to a shrinking public health dollar and university funding under our current government. What started as a blip on the radar has now got set in and this could have deleterious consequences for some time to come.

As Australia moves towards the DPT we won't want to get left behind. If ift does happen soon I hope it won't be a simple transference of undergraduate curriculum to a post grad degree but will truly lift the game. Looking at universities like Melbourne Uni - they appear to be really offering a superior education - their undergraduate biomedical degree is purpose built and they have a stirling staff to support their DPT students.

So I am in two minds about the DPT. My biggest concern is the lack of workforce planning and the overall affordability. Maybe we will end up with fewer physios but more assistants to carry out the day-day work

[yelufem]

Gcoe,Thank u for those info on PT progrm in NZ.It quiet intresting and promising too.We are not quiet familiar with PT progrm in your part of the world partly due to overwhelming influency of the west on our psych here.Interesting to know that Physio schls in NZ are looking the way of DPT.It seems the direction our profession would take in the new decade.In my part of the world,politicians and society place high premium on title.Legistlators beleive doctor of any chit should be more informed,more knowledgeable and so should get more attention.The secret truth about the push for DPT here is to help Physio better its lot before the decision makers.Australia giant stride towards DPT is commendable .NZ should expect the spil over effect of this if the relationship must be kept intact.Gcoe,u are a blessing to this world wide forum.I shall continue to look forward to your brilliant post.Happy and prosperous new year to u and family.yelufem.