My care home placement experience as a Physiotherapy master’s student

University experience

I chose UON because of the positive testimonies from previous and current students. Since starting my studies, the teaching staff have been super supportive and have really helped me in parts of the harder days.

An example of this, is during revision period for my exams, I struggled with getting the structure of the brain right, and my lecturer was able to give me a website to use for videos that explained the structure of the brain. I found this advice very helpful and would recommend this to anyone else who struggles with this area to do the same.

First placement experience

Physiotherapy placements are an extremely important part of the course. It helps students to develop their own mannerism of talking to different people and working alongside other healthcare professionals. It is imperative on this course to have a wide range of placement experiences in different areas to help benefit your working possibilities which also helps to make a difference.

My first placement was in a care home which meant I worked alongside the carers, manager of the care home, my university supervisor, and a second-year student who was my supervisor whilst on placement. Due to this being my first placement in a care home, I felt nervous but, excited to have the opportunity to try make a difference.

My aim for this care home was to educate the carers and family members of the residents on the importance of physical activity and mobility. In general, physical activity has many benefits, such as helping with improvements in mental health, strengthening the bones and muscles, as well as improving an individual’s quality of life. Therefore, promoting the importance of exercise within the people who are residents in the care home was an important part of this placement.

During my in the care home, I shadowed the second-year student supervisor assessment session before I had the chance to take on my first solo session. It was challenging at first because the residents in my care were easily distracted. After completing my first assessment, I had the opportunity to reflect on what I could have done differently, and this gave me the chance to adjust both my instructions and positioning of the residents.

I realise during my placements, that I had to work diligently on my confidence. Being responsible for setting exercises that will benefit the residents; making sure they enjoyed these, the second-year supervisor supported me within the area of my confidence, reassuring me to be clear in my communications when providing these interventions and exercises for the residents to take part in.

So, I adapted a different style in my communication with the residents, carers, and the family members, which help me with the implementation of future interventions.

My aim for the new interventions and treatments for the residents was to make sure the carers were present to shadow these sessions and to further on continue these exercises

The new implementation process had the support from the residents, carers, and family members which made the process of new interventions easier. One example of the new process was to advise one of the residents to use motion sensors light in their room which will help prevent falls.

The beginning of this experience was challenging due to the unexpected environment setting and the information needed to prepare for a hospital or clinical space. However, mid-way through my experience, I began to enjoy the ups and downs of the placement. I thoroughly enjoyed my placement and ended up building great rapport with the residents, carers, the managers, and their families.

I believe we made a big impact within the care home setting in terms of physical activity levels and mobility with different residents. This placement has helped me improve my skills as a physiotherapist student, by using my voice and knowledge to implement changes which has and will benefit the residents.

The placement provided me with the opportunity to also justify my treatment plans to the families and carers, and care home management. At the end of my placement, I knew that I have equipped the carers and activity coordinators with tools and new exercise implementations which will help the residents continue with their physical activity and keep their independence.

‘I urge every student to take up a placement when the opportunity presents itself, as it does not just benefit you as an individual but, it benefits those residents in your care, especially those who are fragile and frail with a high risk of falling’

Find out more about studying Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) MSc.

Bronwyn Bushby

Bronwyn is a a first-year master’s student studying MSc Physiotherapy.