Advice for the future... Physiotherapy/ Medicine (1 Viewer)

[Sarah182]

Hey guys,
Basically, here is the deal..
I want to become a physiotherapist, but in saying that I really want to go far with it- to the point of working with sporting teams or with athletes.

Now here is the thing, what will distinguish me from the massive amount of other people who want to do the exact same thing?

So here is what I have considered with uni, doing medicine at UWS... I have been told by my physiotherapist that if I do that I can become a sport physician which is along the right track.
What do you guys think, would it be worst spending all that time doing medicine just for that or should I just do physiotherapy at Sydney and try and navigate my way there through the workforce?

 

[sparkerasp]

I want to become a physiotherapist, but in saying that I really want to go far with it- to the point of working with sporting teams or with athletes.

Now here is the thing, what will distinguish me from the massive amount of other people who want to do the exact same thing?

Well, I'm not an expert in the path you're taking, but I'll do my best.

- If you can get practical experience is a pretty good start (especially if you can get a good reference for it).
- Good marks at university + participation in societies that links to your career path

What do you guys think, would it be worst spending all that time doing medicine

Keep in mind that a Sports Doctor is different to a Physiotherapist. Yes, they are generally thought of to be quite similar (and they are), but being a Sports Doctor will expose you to many other opportunities and responsibilities.

This article should be quite useful to you (if you haven't already come across it)
Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine - Know the Differences

As a physiotherapist, you are mainly responsible for treating patients externally while being a Sports Doctor also encapsulates surgery and medical diagnosis.
Working with sporting teams and athletes is sometimes demanding work.

To get the benefit of both worlds, you could complete a Bachelor of Physiotherapy then take Graduate Medicine, but as far as I know, this path is VERY demanding!

Maybe track down some Sports Doctors and Sports Physiotherapists if you can and ask them about what they do in their career. Then see if you like it or not.

 

[Dr_Fresh]

physiotherapist is mainly involved with massaging, relaxation etc. basically the physical side of treating an injury/strain.
whereas a doctor is involved with examination of the patient, developing the treatment plan, advising of medication, and telling the physiotherapist what to do. u can think of the doctor as a general practitioner in the field of sports medicine and the physiotherapist as more of a specialist who does what he/she is told. so they have different roles and it depends on what role u want.

 

[savio23q]

why not finish a bachelor of physio with honours, then do a masters and specialise in sports physio.

that'll make you stand out.

 

[juggernaut]

physiotherapist is mainly involved with massaging, relaxation etc. basically the physical side of treating an injury/strain.
whereas a doctor is involved with examination of the patient, developing the treatment plan, advising of medication, and telling the physiotherapist what to do. u can think of the doctor as a general practitioner in the field of sports medicine and the physiotherapist as more of a specialist who does what he/she is told. so they have different roles and it depends on what role u want.

ummm that is so far from being correct its not even funny. physios dont just "do what a doctor tells them" , they pretty much plan/partake in the whole rehabilitation process. if its something obvious (like a break) a doctor will diagnose and then pass the patient on to physio for the rehab side of the treatment, but if its a movement related condition that isnt something obvious (disease related, a break, etc) then the doctor will send the patient to a physio for diagnosing. a doctor does not know the muskoskeletal structure of the body and its functional relation to movement, only a physio a does. a physio does just as much problem solving (diagnosing) as a doctor, and they work together interchangeably

when physical rehab isnt correcting a condition/injury (common areas = the back) the physio will pass the patient on to a sports doctor who can obviously look at the more underlying problems that may be causing the injury/movement condition

physios involved with relaxion that is LOL, a 45$ full body massage from an asian palour in a shopping centre = relaxion, a physios purpose is to rehabilitate a movement injury/improve movement conditions (cerebral palsy for eg) , massaging is only one very very small component of physiotherapy

anyway from memory most people do exercise science (or physiotherapy) first, then graduate medicine to become a sports doctor

 

[Suic1de]

Your going to be very lucky getting a full-time job for a sporting team straight out of the boat. Going to have to work your way up.

Keep in there but, a little volunteer work might help. I know the local under 9's cricket team could do with a little advice about their swollen knee caps.

 

[jozza80]

physiotherapist is mainly involved with massaging, relaxation etc. basically the physical side of treating an injury/strain.
whereas a doctor is involved with examination of the patient, developing the treatment plan, advising of medication, and telling the physiotherapist what to do. u can think of the doctor as a general practitioner in the field of sports medicine and the physiotherapist as more of a specialist who does what he/she is told. so they have different roles and it depends on what role u want.

I think you should get on your bike and come see us physio's at Monash Peninsula.

You actually couldn't get further away from the true meaning of physiotherapy!

As for telling the physio what to do: that was 25 years ago mate...