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Any physiotherapists/physical therapists here?

702 views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  VT Trail Trotters 
#1 ·
I'm a student physiotherapist in the UK, so would be nice to chat to fellow physios (phyical therapists I believe they're called in the US?) :D
 
#2 ·
I'm an occupational therapist and rehab manager.

How long does it take to get an entry level degree in the UK? What is the degree called?
Here physical therapists attend college for 8 years and graduate with a doctorate (clinical doctorate, not a PhD.) Occupational therapists attend for 6 years and graduate with a Master's degree. Those are the requirements for entry-level positions.

I would love to hear more about practice in the UK.

What types of settings can you look forward to working at?
I manage a small nursing home, primarily, but not all elderly. We also have a dedicated rehab unit, see outpatients and treat at a local retirement community. I've worked in schools, long-term acute care hospitals, rural hospitals, home health, basic nursing homes, and outpatient clinics.
 
#3 ·
Eight years?! :O Crikey! You guys work hard over there!

We do 3 years of university training over here with 1000 clinical hours before we can register as a Physiotherapist. The degree we come out with is a BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy. You can do masters and doctorates once qualified and specialised.

I work as a physiotherapy assistant in my holidays (the jobs are like gold dust, I'm effectively an underpaid physio!) on medical and elderly wards in an acute hospital but have done surgical wards. Other areas we can work in, burns and trauma, accident and emergency, paediatrics, neurology, orthopaedics (trauma and elective), rheumatology, amputees, hydrotherapy (usually as a sidekick to another specialism), orthopaedic outpatients, hand therapy, in schools and special needs schools, and in the community.

I think I've covered everything, but really, you can get physios where ever theres a need for them. We can do masters degrees to allow us to prescribe and do further diagnosing.

I'm in my first year at the moment, but have already had a placement in a paediatric setting which was brilliant. I hope to get another paeds placement in 3rd year (final year) when I do the paeds module.

The OTs over here usually work very closely alongside the physios, so usually you wont find a department with an OT but not a physio and vice versa. I really enjoy my job as an assistant, and I enjoy my degree, although it is extremely hard work.

What sort of things does your degree cover?
 
#4 ·
Different colleges have different focuses of study. The one I went to was strong in psychiatric and pediatrics. I took additional coursework when I wanted to do more with orthopedics and myofascial release, swallowing, and neurology. Other OT schools focus more on biomechanics and kinesiology.

PT schools can differ, too. Some focus more on neurology, some on physiology or othopedics.

States differ in what they require or allow slightly. In South Dakota an OT can only treat from the umbilicus up. In other states there is no restriction like that. PT may be limited to only strengthening and ambulation or they may be able to do anything.

In really rural areas, if there is only one therapist of one discipline a PT, for example may address dressing and toileting and recommend and train for adaptive equipment. Or an OT may work on "functional mobility" and essentially treat gait abnormalities or balance. It is rare for an area to only have one discipline, though.

Across the U.S. PTs can have direct access. Meaning that a patient does not need a doctor's order to see one. But, both government and private insurance will most likely not pay for it then. OTs in the U.S. see only patients who have a doctor's order and get their plans of care always signed by a physician.

What about you?
 
#5 ·
Well a physical therapists, is person that works with people who have injured or have problems with muscles and ligaments. I have gone to one quite a few times. And my aunt is one, really cool job.
 
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