Everyone knows by now, if you want to get onto a healthcare course, work experience and volunteering is a must!! I've started this list for you, who might be interested in how I got the place or what I did. But, also for myself! I find it hard to keep track of everything I've done, and this will be perfect to document everything I learn.
If I could give any advice, it would be to record your experience ASAP after doing it. I usually have a notebook with me, making notes. Then when I get home I add it to this post or in a diary. This will be really helpful in interviews as I'll be able to recall all the experiences I've had.
Outpatients, Heart failure clinic, QE hospital (1 day)
I spent the day with a senior nurse, in the outpatients section of the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham. I shadowed her, asking patients about any advancements in their symptoms, or changes in medication. I got the chance to interact with some patients and their families, as this was my first work experience ever in a hospital this was really nerve wracking for me, to start a conversation with patients. I even felt slightly nervous being with the nurse all day, worried about what I was expected to do and say. By the end of the day I was more than comfortable and new that I could ask any of the team anything.
If I could give any advice, it would be to record your experience ASAP after doing it. I usually have a notebook with me, making notes. Then when I get home I add it to this post or in a diary. This will be really helpful in interviews as I'll be able to recall all the experiences I've had.
Outpatients, Device clinic, QE hospital (half a day)
Here I shadowed more senior nurse and specialist technicians, who were monitoring and testing patient's pacemakers and technologies they were using. They said this was important because people's lives could depend on them, and a battery could run out, meaning that person dies. I had an interesting morning with this team, as it was something I didn't know much about. Much like the heart failure clinic, the majority of patients were elderly.
Outpatients, Low Impact exercise class, Community
Along with a specialist cardiologist physiotherapist (that's a mouthful) and a student physiotherapist, I helped run a low impact Thai chi exercise class. This was for patients who had recently left hospital after a heart problem, many had heart attacks or recently had a pacemaker fitted. I noticed a lot of them were over weight and 50 +. These people needed to start exercising more, but high energy exercise like running or other cardio would be too intense. Thai chi is slow, but if done over a long period shows beneficial results. I joined in with the class, speaking to many of the patients, helping to motivate them.
Throughout the class, Alex, the student physio, asked them how challenging they found each activity. At the beginning and end they took heart rates and blood sugar levels, this was important to monitor that they weren't over working anyone, as this could be life threatening.
Alex told me as a physio student 'it's more social skills than science based'. She was extremely friendly and was able to speak to anyone in the room with ease, this was how I wanted to be.
Inpatients, Neurosurgery ward, QE hospital
I shadowed physiotherapists for a whole day, on three different inpatient wards. The first of the day was neurosurgery. The physio warned me that I might find some of the things I would see overwhelming, as a lot of people we're very ill, paralyzed or unable to speak etc. I was only sixteen at this time, yet thought I would be fine, I had been in hospitals many many times.
The aim on the physio on this ward was to avoid bedsores and muscle weakening, a lot of the patients were there for a long time post surgery. Most could be done bedside.
I fainted on this ward, although I know this is not a good thing, I learnt a whole lot from it. I hadn't eaten that morning - fatal mistake!! Physios have long days where they need to be focused, by not eating they could put both themselves and patients in danger. Since then I have really learnt the importance of my own health.
I also learnt a lot about the role of physiotherapist. I had very little idea about inpatient physio, and didn't really know that I will one day be working with patients that ill. This was naive of me, but was a wake up call.
Inpatients, General surgery ward, QE hospital
Physio on this ward was mostly rehab to help a patient walk after only using a wheelchair in hospital. We went to the gym in the hospital, using the handle bars and walking sticks, almost retraining a man how to walk best. Both the physio and physio's assistant had to hold the patient and support him a lot, this reinforced the importance of the physical strength of a physiotherapist.
This was the first time I had seen a physiotherapists assistant, who worked with the physio as there was a high demand on this ward. The two I shadowed worked really well together, seemed like close friends. This taught me the importance of team work.
Inpatients, Respiratory ward, QE hospital
Trialing different frames for walking, and different exercises and positions to help breathing. This further expanded my knowledge of a physiotherapist's role.
Community, Information session
I attended a information session about the psychological effects of a heart problem. This was really interesting to me. A physiotherapist did a talk about how people can continue to do exercise, and how it might help improve self confidence etc.
Community, 'Strictly come rehab', Medium impact exercise class
This class was for people who had ongoing cardiac issues, or had suffered eg a heart attack in the past. It was run by the cardiology department of the QE hospital, held in a church hall. There was a team of healthcare professionals, nurses, physiotherapists. The dance class was run by two external teachers.
The majority of the attendees were elderly, so ballroom dancing was a form of exercise which was engaging to them, it was also a social event. Many of the people there were good friends. I had a really fun afternoon dancing with the people, getting to know them. I felt extremely welcome and they all told me how beneficial it had been for them, getting them out the house for a start.
Strictly come rehab is the only form of rehab like this in the world!
Outpatient, QE hospital gym
Patients came to the physiotherapist here by appointment, and used gym equipment to help them return to their original strength so they could do the sports they used to. Lots of patients were runners who had injury. I liked working here, all the physios were motivated and most were quite interested in sport, all had one they liked to do in their free time- running, swimming, football. This has encouraged me to think about my own fitness, I think I will be starting a tennis class soon.
Then I did a Pilates class with patients who had experienced long term back pain. Again, this was a good example of when physios need to be persuasive and motivating, as the people complained that it hurt at first, but after a while it helped a lot with their pain.
Finally, I did a high impact cardia rehab class. This was run by a gym trainer, physiotherapists and volunteers. The volunteers were people who had previously had their own cardio illness, but had been rehabilitated by the team and this class, This sense of community was inspiring.
Inpatient, Royal Orthopaedic hospital
Weekly, I volunteer as a ward helper here. I make tea and coffee and then clean the tables of patients. However it is so good because it's an oppurtunity to talk to loads of new people every week, and I have to be confident to approach them. This has been extremely helpful in developing my confidence. I also get to work with lots of people, the other volunteers, and other professionals in the hospital.
TBC :)
If I could give any advice, it would be to record your experience ASAP after doing it. I usually have a notebook with me, making notes. Then when I get home I add it to this post or in a diary. This will be really helpful in interviews as I'll be able to recall all the experiences I've had.
Outpatients, Heart failure clinic, QE hospital (1 day)
I spent the day with a senior nurse, in the outpatients section of the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham. I shadowed her, asking patients about any advancements in their symptoms, or changes in medication. I got the chance to interact with some patients and their families, as this was my first work experience ever in a hospital this was really nerve wracking for me, to start a conversation with patients. I even felt slightly nervous being with the nurse all day, worried about what I was expected to do and say. By the end of the day I was more than comfortable and new that I could ask any of the team anything.
If I could give any advice, it would be to record your experience ASAP after doing it. I usually have a notebook with me, making notes. Then when I get home I add it to this post or in a diary. This will be really helpful in interviews as I'll be able to recall all the experiences I've had.
Outpatients, Device clinic, QE hospital (half a day)
Here I shadowed more senior nurse and specialist technicians, who were monitoring and testing patient's pacemakers and technologies they were using. They said this was important because people's lives could depend on them, and a battery could run out, meaning that person dies. I had an interesting morning with this team, as it was something I didn't know much about. Much like the heart failure clinic, the majority of patients were elderly.
Outpatients, Low Impact exercise class, Community
Along with a specialist cardiologist physiotherapist (that's a mouthful) and a student physiotherapist, I helped run a low impact Thai chi exercise class. This was for patients who had recently left hospital after a heart problem, many had heart attacks or recently had a pacemaker fitted. I noticed a lot of them were over weight and 50 +. These people needed to start exercising more, but high energy exercise like running or other cardio would be too intense. Thai chi is slow, but if done over a long period shows beneficial results. I joined in with the class, speaking to many of the patients, helping to motivate them.
Throughout the class, Alex, the student physio, asked them how challenging they found each activity. At the beginning and end they took heart rates and blood sugar levels, this was important to monitor that they weren't over working anyone, as this could be life threatening.
Alex told me as a physio student 'it's more social skills than science based'. She was extremely friendly and was able to speak to anyone in the room with ease, this was how I wanted to be.
Inpatients, Neurosurgery ward, QE hospital
I shadowed physiotherapists for a whole day, on three different inpatient wards. The first of the day was neurosurgery. The physio warned me that I might find some of the things I would see overwhelming, as a lot of people we're very ill, paralyzed or unable to speak etc. I was only sixteen at this time, yet thought I would be fine, I had been in hospitals many many times.
The aim on the physio on this ward was to avoid bedsores and muscle weakening, a lot of the patients were there for a long time post surgery. Most could be done bedside.
I fainted on this ward, although I know this is not a good thing, I learnt a whole lot from it. I hadn't eaten that morning - fatal mistake!! Physios have long days where they need to be focused, by not eating they could put both themselves and patients in danger. Since then I have really learnt the importance of my own health.
I also learnt a lot about the role of physiotherapist. I had very little idea about inpatient physio, and didn't really know that I will one day be working with patients that ill. This was naive of me, but was a wake up call.
Inpatients, General surgery ward, QE hospital
Physio on this ward was mostly rehab to help a patient walk after only using a wheelchair in hospital. We went to the gym in the hospital, using the handle bars and walking sticks, almost retraining a man how to walk best. Both the physio and physio's assistant had to hold the patient and support him a lot, this reinforced the importance of the physical strength of a physiotherapist.
This was the first time I had seen a physiotherapists assistant, who worked with the physio as there was a high demand on this ward. The two I shadowed worked really well together, seemed like close friends. This taught me the importance of team work.
Inpatients, Respiratory ward, QE hospital
Trialing different frames for walking, and different exercises and positions to help breathing. This further expanded my knowledge of a physiotherapist's role.
Community, Information session
I attended a information session about the psychological effects of a heart problem. This was really interesting to me. A physiotherapist did a talk about how people can continue to do exercise, and how it might help improve self confidence etc.
Community, 'Strictly come rehab', Medium impact exercise class
This class was for people who had ongoing cardiac issues, or had suffered eg a heart attack in the past. It was run by the cardiology department of the QE hospital, held in a church hall. There was a team of healthcare professionals, nurses, physiotherapists. The dance class was run by two external teachers.
The majority of the attendees were elderly, so ballroom dancing was a form of exercise which was engaging to them, it was also a social event. Many of the people there were good friends. I had a really fun afternoon dancing with the people, getting to know them. I felt extremely welcome and they all told me how beneficial it had been for them, getting them out the house for a start.
Strictly come rehab is the only form of rehab like this in the world!
Outpatient, QE hospital gym
Patients came to the physiotherapist here by appointment, and used gym equipment to help them return to their original strength so they could do the sports they used to. Lots of patients were runners who had injury. I liked working here, all the physios were motivated and most were quite interested in sport, all had one they liked to do in their free time- running, swimming, football. This has encouraged me to think about my own fitness, I think I will be starting a tennis class soon.
Then I did a Pilates class with patients who had experienced long term back pain. Again, this was a good example of when physios need to be persuasive and motivating, as the people complained that it hurt at first, but after a while it helped a lot with their pain.
Finally, I did a high impact cardia rehab class. This was run by a gym trainer, physiotherapists and volunteers. The volunteers were people who had previously had their own cardio illness, but had been rehabilitated by the team and this class, This sense of community was inspiring.
Inpatient, Royal Orthopaedic hospital
Weekly, I volunteer as a ward helper here. I make tea and coffee and then clean the tables of patients. However it is so good because it's an oppurtunity to talk to loads of new people every week, and I have to be confident to approach them. This has been extremely helpful in developing my confidence. I also get to work with lots of people, the other volunteers, and other professionals in the hospital.
TBC :)
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