student representative development weekend - leeds 2015

The weekend kicked off with an inspiring talk from an inspirational leader of Physiotherapy. Influencing and exerting influence with Karen Middleton and Professor Leuan Ellis of Leeds Beckett University. Throwing  away the elephant in the room, we enter the world of the 6 regions and feel no lose in forgetting about the 6 nations, as we embark on a weekend journey to inspire the world of Physiotherapy through the eyes of students and professionals. Here is the advice they gave....

Their talk gave the message of the importance of having a goal and with that it was important to understand what it is you want to achieve. To gain and have respect you must know your profession and also everyone else's profession. Follow your own learning style, for better or for worse!
Moral is known to be low in the NHS and making a difference in the environment could help.
What is better,  to have a problem or to have a solution, have an idea?
What and how? vs so what now what? The main aim of reflecting.

They suggest top tips when something goes wrong whilst at work - Maintain empathy, gain a deeper understanding of the situation, ask questions and not make statements, the worse thing you could do is be angry, be resilient, you get one chance in every encounter, don't speak louder but choose different words, trust and respect can help when building relationships,  don't be too harsh with your judgement but find another technique to get people to listen and take on board what your saying, have courage and ask yourself what's the worst that could happen? Feedback positivity, be authentic, cut to the chase - think about the key messages that you want to say.
Use elevator talk? What does this mean? When getting someone to see your side of things imagine you need to sell them your idea as soon as they walk in the elevator your in. Instead of fixing your already perfectly sitting name badge sell them your idea. Remember it takes about 30 seconds to get to the next floor where they could walk out. Make it clear what your saying and be confident.

When starting a new job take notes for the first 3 months, sphere of influence, know your audience, know the difference between private and public influencing, allow yourself to be influenced,
 'you have to have the power to stand and talk as well as have the power to sit and listen' Churchill.

Next subject on the agenda was a short talk from Proactive - www.proactive-training.co.uk they offer additional training courses. Highly recommended by the CSP and students.

Physiotherapy works - Sue Rees - CSP chair - talks on the ageing population. We must differentiate between functional and medical problems.  From this we can incorporate physioworks concept  and decrease unnecessary GP appointments. Hospitals are know to decrease function in people. Physioworks in the community helps in keeping people fit to work for longer, living a better more functional and social life in the community for longer and prevents long term conditions in turn decreasing the number of hospital admissions.
There is a need to empower the population,  maximising independence, self management, encouraging full and meaningful lives.
The concept of the 5 Rs - reversal of i.e.. Negative perspectives, resilience,  results, responsive to peoples needs, resources - cost effective.
A prime example for cost effectiveness is the Physiotherapy fall prevention class in the community.
How do we get there - influence people, connect, think of the 6 degrees of separation, people will use your words, be innovative.
A new idea - Skype patients to update their exercise plan.
How to get involved and put things in place - get to know local decision makers,  use elevator talk, prevention, early rehab and intervention.This concept makes a statement, when we complain about lack of resources, this is a solution and a concept that not just asking for more Physiotherapists.

Band 5 Physiotherapy - Lucy Cocker talks on CPD. Why do it?
Think about what makes you different for the rest of your cohorts, what do you need to stand out to get the job you need? Think about the elevator pitch and include why is Physiotherapy the answer? Find some personal development time.
She talks on the unemployed graduate scheme.

Take chances. Find a mentor.
"If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you always had"
Learn to live with a bit of mess. Learn to delegate and say no sometimes.
Thinking outside the right box, do what's right for your development not just for the c.v.
Why should you care? Competition in jobs, go to opportunities and don't let them come to you, striving for excellence personally and professionally, be a role model,.
Think so what, now what, who cares , who wants to know? It will lead you in the right direction.


Sue Hayward-Giles MCSP,  Engaging with the profession is of up most importance, so what? Now what?
Active - words to describe - current, practical, social, networking, participating, engagement, lifestyle,  stimulate, dynamic, actually means "worldly voice"
Who said something about Physiotherapy?  What did it tell you about there view? What could you do to change their views?  ideas to spread social media, keep people interested and educate them and don't take anything for granted in regards to their knowledge, educate evidence based practice, share a picture on social media, become speakers at local events, advertising / poster campaign - did you know as key messages

Janet Thomas - tweeter talk - Physiotalk. CSP guidelines. Best for live debate and up to date information.
Use icsp for members only discussions. Professional responsibility.  Your regulators,  your professional body, your university.
Simpler = makes hashtag and analysis data.
Physiotalk take over in march offers reps to take over Physiotalk for 1 week. Plus 6 month intern ship, mentors available, develop digital leadership, networking, see jd, and person spec on www.physiotalk.co.uk plus details on how to apply. Apply via cv from LinkedIn.

Night out, dinner, dance, games.

Day 2

European Physiotherapy
Networking -
ECPTS European confederation for physical therapists
National boards, 22 country s,  I.e difference to ACL reconstruction in different countries,
Physio Couch,  19th and 20th March
Intern ship - 3 weeks in Czech rep,  congress?
WHSS 2013, world health care student symposiums - Switzerland
What is out there and what does this mean? - What else can you do? Be part of the board,  make decisions.  Be a student rep, be on executive board, be part of a working board.
European region, for the world confederation for physical therapy.
Need a primary contact person for their country for a graduate,  or regional facilitator for students or graduates,  deal line - 13th February
Physiotherapy UK - ER-WCPT,

CPD talk - championing CPD group
Started in 2011, encouraging member engagement in CPD and improving services you off in regards to patient cent-redness,  helps people engage,  be a learning champion,  support via icsp,  CPD habits including e portfolio,  how do I start - CSP websites,  front line, a physio student twitter

TUC- trade union campaign. Achieve more together rather than being alone. Unison member, steward,  works with government,  representing people,  housing issues,  bullying at work, fair pay for fare work, register to vote ❎,  bit the ballot,  social media - twitter and Facebook,

The big idea -
the Midlands
 -"too old for nothing" im too old for that, Physio says on no your not. Looking to promote physical exercise in older people. Guidelines for above 65. Eye catching posters seem to make an impression, social marketing campaign of people doing sports but not stereotypical exercises,  family orientated activities activity events, local treasure hunt run by Physiotherapy. Additionally exercise classes locally,  seated exercise programme In residential homes.

The south east -
Business concept - "physzness".  With the ever changing world,  people lack awareness in business,  need to promote,  add business concept to education either as an extra module,  how to advertise yourself as a physio.  Take the skills into work place to make the services run more effectively.  the idea is currently being trialled. Physiness.
Making reference to this physios are active, take on a more active role in this this, graduating and then taking a role in the NHS is passive, to contribution to this more learn about the business side of things and contribute to the business aspects as well, in the long term its completely relevant to improve quality, diversity,

Southwest and Wales -
for falls prevention exercise classes to get older people more active and keep activity alive in the older generation.  How to do you get them to the class - advert better, make a video, make them know in the local areas,  increase social aspects in the older generation,  reach the target audience, falls prevention saves money long term, improves quality of life,

Northwest -
Physiolocker - support network for students,  I.e. Writing essays,  first placements,. ,main goals to improve student knowledge and improve help with assignments and placements. Target students and newly qualified physios.
#physiolocker and Facebook physio locker. Website - instant answers,  everyone teaches and learns differently,  involve views from different university's.

Northeast -
"success is a few simple disciplines practised everyday .  habits. On your way to living well 21, live long, live well 21. 5 simple steps to do every day, #day one, thinking of exercise as you sit and play on your phone, it involves other people and works geographically,  21 day challenge,  has been run as a pilot study in the local region.  Good way of sharing experience and gaining encouragement.

Scotland and Northern Ireland -
Placement costs for physiotherapy students.
Accommodation when staying away from rented homes or a home environment to take in a placement, and vaccinations, travel and pvg.
Plus having np to take time off work.
925 students in Scotland and Northern Ireland currently.
Initial costs,  placement costs, people are not well informed
We want greater subsidies,, ore information pre course start, help finding accommodation,  so the plan is creating a survey to get more information to support this argument to see whats happening nationally. To present date to assist students and the CSP on a journey to improve the financial aspects of student Physiotherapists.

Stand up for education - Avis Gilmore. NUT north west regional secretary. Campaign. We are spending the majority of our time justifying and writing about our movements,

Last but not least, results of the big idea
1st Scotland and Northern Ireland .......

Physio Couch - Nijmegen

Taking my life back a few months joins my contextual memory to February. A much exciting month for me personally as a student of Physiotherapy for a number of reasons but for now we shall elaborate on a new concept of fun not know to everyone in the world yet, of Physio Couch Surfing.
So what does this mean exactly..........? Taking a trip to the beach with the Therapy Couch for a wee surf after the clients have left during placement time..........? Or taking from the classically know concept of couch surfing with a bunch of other Physiotherapists/students who you don't know........?  I'll leave that answer to your own imagination and for now will elaborate on the latter.

For the first time ever in February 2014 a very few number of people from HAN University in the town Nijmegen, Holland did a great job of organising a 3 Day event to involve students from other country's and regions to enter their view of being a student of Physiotherapy. They managed professionally to not only get 80 students to attend lectures during half term in another country but also accommodation for their 24 hour needs of sleeping, eating and entertainment.

During this time the workshops that took place can be seen:

Program Wednesday 19	Thursday 20	Friday 21	Saturday 22
15.00 – 18.00 Registration For Hosts: Picking up organic breakfast package at ‘praktijkcoaching’ 15:00- 18:00	09.00 – 10.00 Registration 10.30 – Openings ceremony 10.50 – Case ‘walking’, lecture ‘bio-mechanics’ 12.30 - Lunch Break (bring/buy your one lunch) 13.15 – Workshops * Anatomic Lab * Dancing Workshop * Case ‘walking’ 16:45 Last lecture 21.00 Social program at the bar `#BRUUT´ with the live music band ´Pluto34`	08.45 - Case Running with ´pitch lectures´ * Physiology * Communication and different prospectives * Running * Training Coffee break around 10.30 12.15 - Lunch break (bring/buy your one lunch) 13.00 - Workshops * Motor Learning * Communication, consciousness and adaptation * Dancing * Coordination Coffee break around 14.30 16.30 Closing ceremony 21.00 Special activity in the city 21.30 Final party at café de Fuik	Chill out

Depending on what level of education you consider yourself on some of the workshops titles may seem like you may have hear of it all before so why would it be worth your while attending. For myself every second of my time was a worth while investment. Getting someone else point of view from the world wide concepts we study clarified details of what I have learnt before, hearing it from someone else focus of education made me look at things in a different light. Giving an example of using auditory cueing for Rehab patients. This seems to be a bigger focus in the EU than it does in Scotland. I was surprised when nearly every student from the EU counties took out their mobile phones to show me their metronome app  for auditory cueing they would use to encourage their focus during a rehab session. I did question my lecturers in University about this situation and the reply was very pleasant in praising the Dutch in particular for having their own research methods which are sometimes better than the methods in the UK.

Situations like these make you think on a deeper level of education. Just because its not scientifically researched and educated in one country doesn't mean it doesn't work, it just means it hasn't be researched scientifically and educated in your country and educated by your teacher to you. The out come being each country seems to have different interests and focuses. The question being "Why just do what your teacher tells you? Perhaps research more!!!" That is what Physiotherapy's all about.

Taking part in such an Event as Physio Couch gives a sense of belonging to an unspoken community that you would never have had imagined to be so bright and fully in existence. If you have every thought about and never done it the advised message from Nijmegen, Holland would be "To take a small step out of your comfort zone." When done properly success is achievable, inspiration flows, wishes are fulfilled and dreams come true. My advise to you would be,

 "anything you want to do, have thought of to do or have made up ridiculously to do, has actually probably already been done before by many and is sitting about somewhere, probably exactly where you want it to be (with out you even actually knowing it) waiting very patiently for you, with your name written all over it, wanting and very much needing your input on it. Soooooo, why not just go and join it?" S.K.Phimister

COME OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE. Its amazing what you can achieve with others. During my time in  Nijmegen altogether we created situations we would not have done alone. Team work is ace. Why not just have a wee dance and take over a train station while your at it.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi_Wunj-CIY


Aims of this concept :

• To connect Physio students on an International level making the experience fun, cheaper and remain relevant to the life of a Physiotherapist
• A formal learning experience including the informality's of an abroad experience
• To emphasis the key features of being a Physiotherapist that are carried among Physios Universally including communication skills, open mindedness, remaining flexible and being able to connect with other people of different cultures who have their own ideas.
• To learn to express your own initiative, grow in confidence and support others ideas. 

For more info please feel free to get in touch with myself messaging the face book page embrace2u and or check out Physio Couch Event on Facebook