Y3S2W13: Y3 Summed & Summarised

 Final Week of Y3 Lectures & Labs.

University 2015 is coming to an end...
Graduation 2016, we're almost there. One year to go, bring it on!

I've attended some self-directed group learning sessions... one session was especially productive. We focused on conditions of the posterior upper limb. First off, we used the whiteboard to compare/contrast each of the conditions, then we split into smaller groups to be patient and practitioner... not having the condition required us to know how the condition presented... and we needed to know how to diagnose the condition. So both of us needed to know everything - good way to study! 

When I say I've attended "some" self-directed practical group sessions... I really mean, "I've attended a group practical session nearly every day this week." Compared to second year, the scales, in terms of self-study/notes and practical study/verbalising, have taken a large swing toward practical revision. The timetabled labs this week were also revision. I found these especially helpful because we had access to equipment. The more I think about clinical situations that could arise, the less prepared I feel - however, when we break the situation down and apply some logical thinking (physiotherapy clinical reasoning), then we can't go too far wrong. And, because there are situations where we can actually do a lot of harm, it's good to know when to do nothing at all. Knowing when treatment is indicated and contraindicated is the key to surviving third year of undergraduate physiotherapy. Not having extensive clinical experience is probably the biggest barrier to being a productive physio student in fourth year... but this is why we have fourth year before being unleashed unsupervised on the public. Having said this, it doesn't make us any more confident for our practical exam next week!

"We have to fill our brains up [with knowledge]... even the spaces that we know will only hold info for a few weeks" - third year student.

"When you're not sure what to do with a patient, refer them on. Got some cultural barriers, refer them on. Can't fix the problem with a single manip, refer them on..." - third year physio with a sense of humour.

"Knowing there are things that you don't know is a problem. Knowing there are other things that you don't know to know, things that you need to know, is a bigger problem" - another third year student.

By the end of third year we know useful rehabilitation science, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology... the foundations of healthcare practice. Furthermore, we know how do assess and treat many musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary and neurological conditions in various settings (hospital, private practice, community)... the foundations of physiotherapy practice. Moreover, we have a good grounding in many speciality areas in physiotherapy practice (paediatrics, sports physio, mental health, occupational health etc). Having said this, physiotherapists treat the person and not just the condition. Thus it's important to know that there is other knowledge from other areas of physiotherapy to draw upon... imagine a person a plethora of different medical, social and psychological conditions, then put them in a social, political and physical context... and know physiotherapy can help them live better lives.

If you're a current second year student wondering when you're going to learn physiotherapy... there's a good chance that you need to pay more attention in class. However, you'll need to wait until the second semester of third year, and in particular attend 'integrated studies' labs/lectures as this is when all the missing pieces of the puzzle 'what is physiotherapy, and how do we do it' are brought together.

Our final week ended with class photos in front of the University Registry building / clock tower on Friday around noon. This was a good way to finish the academic year!

I would like to thank all who have taken the time to read my blog this year. I look forward to continuing my journey through undergraduate physio and sharing my experiences of the final year of the BPhty programme with you in 2016. I wish to extend my thanks to the students and staff who have contributed to the excitement had thus far - it's a frightening thought knowing that we're almost ready for the big wide world.

I'm only going to write one more post this year to cover my experience through the exam period.
It's time to put knowledge to practice!

Wish us luck!