The 2nd and 3rd year physio students were once again involved in promoting the School of Physiotherapy during the Health Science First Year information evening, and the secondary school open day. I gave up two hours on Tuesday to get amongst the high school students whom were buzzing around looking at their career options. A common concern for many students was the common year, HSFY where they are lumped with medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and medical laboratory science hopefuls. The idea that they had to battle for their place was put to ease when we told them that the entry criteria was now 'should they meet the minimum requirements of a B- average, AND only select physiotherapy as their preferred professional programme then they will almost certainly be guaranteed a place in the professional programme'. So with that worry now abolished, they were then concerned about achieving grades in papers they really had not prepared for at high school such as chemistry or physics. Unfortunately that's something they will have to really study hard to ensure they pass with a good grade. Fortunately, all that first year health science study will be worth it, for they will be on track to becoming physiotherapists!!
I participated in a Masters student's research project at the School of Physiotherapy on Wednesday morning. The data collection was undertaken in the biomechanics lab with a movement tracking system (UV, 3D-motion analysis) and advanced EMG setup. Researchers are generally more than happy to give you an insight as to how the equipment works, or to use it to showcase how your own body works. I got to see my shoulder muscles activation patterns with shoulder movement - the changes in EMG with movement reflect the dynamic role of each muscle group with specific movements (agonists/antagonists/stabilisers/neutralisers).... and as there was a lot of muscles measured, it was quite entertaining. It is an experience not to pass up, should you have an opportunity to participate in or conduct your own research using these devices. On this occasion the researchers were comparing a practitioner applied mobilisation with movement (MWM) technique of the glenohumeral joint with a self-mobilisation technique. I wish them well over the next few months as they analyse the data.
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| Biomechanics Lab, School of Physio. |
The setup: EMG and 3D Motion Analysis
Self-mobilisation with movement
Physiotherapist applied mobilisation with movement
On Wednesday night we had our terms test for pathology. It was a 120 MCQ exam. The exam questions were played on a powerpoint show, with one minute per question before "Ding" the next slide/question was shown. There were plenty of images (histology, gross anatomy, tables and graphs) with arrows pointing, H&S stains highlighting, letters denoting and people with conditions displaying etc. "Ding". One minute per question was easily manageable (it was MCQ after all), however two hours of sitting there (most of which we were day dreaming or wishing for the previous slide to be replayed) was a struggle. "Ding". We had a joke before the exam about finishing early, knowing full well that if they did then they obviously had not seen all the questions (but the answer is always 'B' anyway, right??!). "Ding". In momentary discussions after the exam finished, I found that the general consensus was that the test wasn't as bad as we all had earlier perceived... yet, we were pleased to have been scared in to studying hard before hand. "Ding". Thank goodness for the "ding" after each slide changed, as this sound brought us back on task... but we're now very tied of hearing "DING!!" There was a lab group BYO (or in the case of our lab group, it was a flat pizza night) immediately following the exam for combined 2nd and 3rd year groups.
MSK is slowly bringing everything we have learnt together. The lab was split 50:50 between practical and theory. We started with clearing tests for the shoulder, thoracic and cervical regions. This fine-tuned our manual handling skills. There was a joke about "soft end feel" with horizontal flexion with overpressure for the shoulder joint on females... obviously that's something to avoid at all times! The second half was followed by a case study. We were tasked with coming up with a few hypotheses of the underlying structures at fault based on the subjective assessment. After stating our hypotheses, we had to explain what we would do in the objective test. Often our specific orthopaedic tests are based on functional limitations and reproduction of symptoms in the clearing tests. We were then given the objective assessment for the case and had to describe which structures were at fault and how we knew this. It feels like we're almost practitioners!
Our physical agents lab was about safely and effectively using ultrasound. There were a few machines (of varying ages) that we had to be confident using (once you've used one, you've used them all.... sort of). There are a few different ways to apply ultrasound e.g. through water, gel, balloons - so long as there was a contact medium. Apparently the ultrasound head is fairly easy to brake (and quite expensive). Our lab books also listed condoms as a good contact medium... but I wonder how well that would go in real clinical situations. Ultrasound is reported to be a useful therapeutic modality, and it is easy to use. There are a few parameters we need to think about: depth of penetration (1MHz vs 3MHz), duration of treatment, intensity (W/cm2) and whether it is continuous or pulsed (and the ratio of the pulse).
The week ended with an infections prevention and control lab. We were reminded about the 'five moments of hand hygiene', personal protective equipment (gowns/gloves/shields/masks) and protocols for people with or suspected to have a viral illness. There were a few 'what should you do in this situation' case studies and then we all practised putting on and safely removing the personal protective equipment... yes there is an order to removing the gear so as to contain any bacteria or virus that may have been sneezed on you, rubbed on you, or virus passed onto you by exposure to vomit. We didn't get to see an Ebola suit (although I'm sure the DHB will have one somewhere). When we were all dressed up, there was a suggestion that we should all run through the main street yelling "it got out!!" - that would be entertaining (and have many unintended consequences).
With pathology terms test done, we can focus on other things... some productive, others for pure entertainment. If you're into a quiet evening reading physio blogs - here are a few worth browsing over. (I'm linking them here to save bookmarking them elsewhere):
Vodafone was giving free passes to the rugby on Friday!! These opportunities don't come around too often. In the end the Highlanders were too strong for the Sharks, beating them 48-15!
With pathology terms test done, we can focus on other things... some productive, others for pure entertainment. If you're into a quiet evening reading physio blogs - here are a few worth browsing over. (I'm linking them here to save bookmarking them elsewhere):
- The Awesome Physical Therapist: http://theawesomept.com/
- CinemaSays: https://cinemasays.wordpress.com/
- Physiological: http://physiologicalpt.com/
- The Sports Physio: https://thesportsphysio.wordpress.com/
- PT Brain Trust: https://ptbraintrust.wordpress.com/
- Pain Science: https://www.painscience.com/
- Science-based Medicine: https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/
- Forward Thinking PT: http://forwardthinkingpt.com/
- Keith's Korner: https://keithpkorner.wordpress.com/
- The Manual Therapist: http://www.themanualtherapist.com/
- Human AntiGravity Suit: http://humanantigravitysuit.blogspot.co.nz/
- PT Think Tank: http://ptthinktank.com/
- Critical Physio: http://criticalphysio.me/
- Physiohead: https://physiohead.wordpress.com/
- PhysioTalk: http://physiotalk.co.uk/
- Raynersmale: http://www.raynersmale.com/
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