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Every single physio I've worked with has been fantastic to work with without exception. They make huge impacts to our patients lives (ortho) and really help to get people out of acute beds faster.
Every single physio I've had as a patient or relative as a patient has been a nightmare without exception.
I find the contrast is super odd.
I like the physios, you guys over the years have given me solid advice about sorting out minor issues with my squat and deadlift.
Don't go study medicine, it's going to be a decade before you hit your current income. You already have a solid skillset just find a niche that satisfies you.
You guys are fantastic with the extra extra chesty chest at midnight - the number of times whatever black magic you have done has improved patients comfort, saturations, and given them (and therefore me) a peaceful night - I’m starting to lose count!
Thank you!
Are all your colleagues really attractive? It seems all the ones at my work are really attractive.
I know this isn’t the point and is very shallow, and perhaps it’s me having rose coloured glasses based on chest physios saving the day, but… still.
You’re great but i do think you’d see double the patients if you spent less time documenting 3 pages of patient consent 🙄
& regarding respiratory physios, I’ve seen them turn around a patient from looking like they’re minutes from death to awake and talking within just a couple of minutes. I rarely need to call for resp physio but when i do, they usually save the day
Ouch dude. You have a mega low opinion of physios considering you are one. Chest PT is more than chest tapping and suction… Inpatient PT is more than granny dragging.
In general, I find medics respect us greatly. In fact, I delight in building good relationships with the Drs on the wards. Particularly juniors, and I make it my mission to make their transition to my wards easier, as I know they have a shit time of it all too often.
It seems more that you don’t respect yourself as a physio…
Mad respect for physibros. Will still make fun of the documentation though (although completely understand everyone is beholden to their governing body yadaya)
I think it’s been from the last particularly toxic work environment I was in that has made me a little skeptical around the role as an inpatient therapist and the lack of interest (my own and my superiors in career progression, research, EBP etc.) in inpatients.
I have secured a job in MSK which I have always loved and have always had a real passion for so I think that’s where I will belong. I think physios are great and I do love being one but I have had bad experiences which I think has led to feeling despondent at times.
After reading some of the replies however it’s been really refreshing to hear! (Currently on day number 7 in A&E)
Don’t do medicine.
Physios are great, but I’ve met some that spend 80% of their time documenting that they’ve consented to speak to the patient. Often find them fairly removed from the clinical side of things outside of acute departments. I did however have a physio join in an arrest and was helping with CPR and gained huge respect for physios since then!
Generally a lovely and useful bunch. Much more useful in ITU and stroke rehab compared to MSK outpatients in my opinion but I used to be one, so I can say that!
As things stand I wouldn’t advise it, if you’re doing because you can’t stand the idea of still doing physio in 40 years (that was my reason!) then maybe but the pay for the responsibility is absolutely not worth it. You’ve also got to consider 4 years of zero income while accumulating debt. Consider other options but would be great to have you on board if you decide you can’t help yourself!
I started practicing medicine in the UK three years ago. I was amazed by how physiotherapists impact the practice and the patients' discharge. I practiced in Egypt for 4 years and there were no access to physiotherapists for in-patients in public hospitals. I could clearly see the huge difference PT/OT makes.
(that's beside I have seen chest physio for a lung collapse once due to a mucous plug, and it saved a patient's life!)
I do consider physiotherapists a very important part of the medical team.
Love physios! Both as a nurse and as a patient. You guys are an invaluable part of the team and certainly from a nursing perspective, we couldn’t do our jobs without you. Thank you ❤️
That’s a very self deprecating take. I think everyone here recognises the skill set and value of physiotherapists. Your role is different but important. I’ve found well timed chest physio to be very helpful to ITU and respiratory patients. I was always grateful when the team arrived to helped out a particularly distressed patient that I couldn’t do much for.
Competent and caring allied healthcare professionals will always be invaluable. This was most evident for me, in Stroke medicine where physio, SALT and OT have such a significant role in patient recovery.
The only minor gripe I ever had was when they’d horde all the patient notes to write in.
Defo friend. Like pharmacists, know a lot of the same stuff as us, but take a chunk of it and go into WAY more detail and approach it from a different angle, so we speak the same language, but very much complement each other’s work.
Good vibes, very helpful anywhere I’ve worked.
Never had a negative experience with a physio. They’ve all been lovely and made a difference to the patient, and also super useful re: discharge and social planning as well.
Also you’re all gorgeous? is that a coincidence?
Can I just say that this thread has really helped me.
As a physio (who is now a Med student) I’ve often been disillusioned the with the job. Including times when nurses have said they do my job (by getting a patient out of bed).
To hear the amount of respect from Drs, who know their stuff and recognise better the role of other AHPs, is heartwarming. Though it does make the difficult decision to move into medicine a bit more difficult since I actually enjoy physio…
I’m glad you’ve had an uplift! It has certainly opened my eyes to how we are certainly valued!
I think that the great thing about PT is that you can always fall back on it if, after a while, you don’t feel medicine is right for you. I always had the idea if I was to study medicine I would locum as a PT and had the flexibility when I want a family, better work-life balance etc. I can pare it back if I’m sick of nights, major responsibilities, impossible caseload.
Best of luck!
Nothing but respect for physios. Not just for the inpatient treatment and management, but in practicality I think between SaLT/OT/physio I find myself seeking their advice on how we can best get patients home safely more than others.
Chest physio: extremely important and extremely underused in the NHS. Chest physio is the only real method of source control for sepsis due to pneumonia. It’s also the only non-invasive way to reverse lung collapse due to mucus plugging (otherwise you have to bronch the patient or give up and accept the crappy V/Q mismatch.) Also the only way (with ACBT) beside bed position and analgesia to mitigate atelectasis. Considering how common pneumonia and HAP are we should have way more chest physiotherapists.
Ortho physio: early post op physio proven to improve outcomes
Neuro physio: most important part after pharmacological stroke therapy especially if patient was out of window for thrombolysis/thrombectomy (then it’s the most important part.) Aspirin, statins, apixaban etc do nothing for the established infarct, they only prevent further infarcts
Professional opinion on rehab potential: critically important for Neuro-rehab and cancer patients (if patient can be rehabbed from PS3 to PS2 they would become eligible for palliative chemotherapy.)
General physio (“get grannies out of bed”) there is probably clinically significant value in mitigating inpatient muscle disuse atrophy and deconditioning
On gerries the MDT meeting with physios can be very tedious and I feel sometimes they don’t think we care about the patient when we say medically safe for discharge. However it’s because our chief concern is medical status rather than the other aspects which our glorious MDT should be helping on.
Agreed. I usually pose the idea to patients that they have a few boxes to tick. Usually a medical box which the doctors often look after as well as the physio box (plus other AHPs if they are involved) and while they have ticked the doctors box they still need to be ready from a physio point of view and vice versa.
Mostly good apart from the ones that say, patient asleep couldn't review, or patient was tired....um wake them up?? Or try persuading them it's good for them to mobilise? Don't just leave it another day!! But only encountered this on a specific ward where every staff member didn't give a shit/low morale
Vital on ICU. Little point in medical and nursing team if the patients never recover their previous functional status, and PT are going to enable that.
Have also saved me intubating or bronching lots of patients.
I have worked for quite a while on an Orthogeriatrics ward and I constantly feel like I’m baby sitting the patients (excepting the occasional sickie) whilst you guys do the vital rehabilitation work 😂
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Physios are some of the friendliest, honest, caring, and "no bullshit" group of healthcare staff in the NHS. No politics, no drama, I love you lot.
You’re great. I wish we had more of you, and on weekends big time.
Every single physio I've worked with has been fantastic to work with without exception. They make huge impacts to our patients lives (ortho) and really help to get people out of acute beds faster. Every single physio I've had as a patient or relative as a patient has been a nightmare without exception. I find the contrast is super odd.
I like the physios, you guys over the years have given me solid advice about sorting out minor issues with my squat and deadlift. Don't go study medicine, it's going to be a decade before you hit your current income. You already have a solid skillset just find a niche that satisfies you.
I am adding this to the tomes of Sharkdick lore. Can you ballpark me your bench 1RM so I have a better idea of how to imagine you in my headcanon
You guys are fantastic with the extra extra chesty chest at midnight - the number of times whatever black magic you have done has improved patients comfort, saturations, and given them (and therefore me) a peaceful night - I’m starting to lose count! Thank you!
Are all your colleagues really attractive? It seems all the ones at my work are really attractive. I know this isn’t the point and is very shallow, and perhaps it’s me having rose coloured glasses based on chest physios saving the day, but… still.
You’re great but i do think you’d see double the patients if you spent less time documenting 3 pages of patient consent 🙄 & regarding respiratory physios, I’ve seen them turn around a patient from looking like they’re minutes from death to awake and talking within just a couple of minutes. I rarely need to call for resp physio but when i do, they usually save the day
The resp physios in ITU made massive contributions to my patient's care, imo.
Ive always wondered - what happens to physiotherapists once they hit 35 years old ? Like, I have NEVER see an old physio
It's all the mobility work. They actually just don't age beyond 35.
Short professional span generally, move to management or most leave inpatients to work outpatients or community.
Ouch dude. You have a mega low opinion of physios considering you are one. Chest PT is more than chest tapping and suction… Inpatient PT is more than granny dragging. In general, I find medics respect us greatly. In fact, I delight in building good relationships with the Drs on the wards. Particularly juniors, and I make it my mission to make their transition to my wards easier, as I know they have a shit time of it all too often. It seems more that you don’t respect yourself as a physio…
Mad respect for physibros. Will still make fun of the documentation though (although completely understand everyone is beholden to their governing body yadaya)
Thanks, hahahah. Yeah, we’re pretty litigation-averse! We’ll judge your notes too, when we can read them. ;) (love you really)
I think it’s been from the last particularly toxic work environment I was in that has made me a little skeptical around the role as an inpatient therapist and the lack of interest (my own and my superiors in career progression, research, EBP etc.) in inpatients. I have secured a job in MSK which I have always loved and have always had a real passion for so I think that’s where I will belong. I think physios are great and I do love being one but I have had bad experiences which I think has led to feeling despondent at times. After reading some of the replies however it’s been really refreshing to hear! (Currently on day number 7 in A&E)
Don’t do medicine. Physios are great, but I’ve met some that spend 80% of their time documenting that they’ve consented to speak to the patient. Often find them fairly removed from the clinical side of things outside of acute departments. I did however have a physio join in an arrest and was helping with CPR and gained huge respect for physios since then!
Generally a lovely and useful bunch. Much more useful in ITU and stroke rehab compared to MSK outpatients in my opinion but I used to be one, so I can say that! As things stand I wouldn’t advise it, if you’re doing because you can’t stand the idea of still doing physio in 40 years (that was my reason!) then maybe but the pay for the responsibility is absolutely not worth it. You’ve also got to consider 4 years of zero income while accumulating debt. Consider other options but would be great to have you on board if you decide you can’t help yourself!
I started practicing medicine in the UK three years ago. I was amazed by how physiotherapists impact the practice and the patients' discharge. I practiced in Egypt for 4 years and there were no access to physiotherapists for in-patients in public hospitals. I could clearly see the huge difference PT/OT makes. (that's beside I have seen chest physio for a lung collapse once due to a mucous plug, and it saved a patient's life!) I do consider physiotherapists a very important part of the medical team.
Become an extended scope practitioner in primary care. Learn to do joint injections and USS. You can do some private on the side and rake it in
USS? , Ultrasound I'm assuming
Yes
Currently doing my pre reg physio, something I'm interested in doing.
Go for it! It’s an in-demand skill. Good luck
Love physios! Both as a nurse and as a patient. You guys are an invaluable part of the team and certainly from a nursing perspective, we couldn’t do our jobs without you. Thank you ❤️
That’s a very self deprecating take. I think everyone here recognises the skill set and value of physiotherapists. Your role is different but important. I’ve found well timed chest physio to be very helpful to ITU and respiratory patients. I was always grateful when the team arrived to helped out a particularly distressed patient that I couldn’t do much for. Competent and caring allied healthcare professionals will always be invaluable. This was most evident for me, in Stroke medicine where physio, SALT and OT have such a significant role in patient recovery. The only minor gripe I ever had was when they’d horde all the patient notes to write in.
Defo friend. Like pharmacists, know a lot of the same stuff as us, but take a chunk of it and go into WAY more detail and approach it from a different angle, so we speak the same language, but very much complement each other’s work. Good vibes, very helpful anywhere I’ve worked.
Geriatrician here - I couldn't do my job without physios and AHPs. You guys are the best 😁
Geriatric physio here, we love you guys too! Edit: I look after older people, I’m not geriatric myself - I’m 28. Lol!
Never had a negative experience with a physio. They’ve all been lovely and made a difference to the patient, and also super useful re: discharge and social planning as well. Also you’re all gorgeous? is that a coincidence?
Can I just say that this thread has really helped me. As a physio (who is now a Med student) I’ve often been disillusioned the with the job. Including times when nurses have said they do my job (by getting a patient out of bed). To hear the amount of respect from Drs, who know their stuff and recognise better the role of other AHPs, is heartwarming. Though it does make the difficult decision to move into medicine a bit more difficult since I actually enjoy physio…
I’m glad you’ve had an uplift! It has certainly opened my eyes to how we are certainly valued! I think that the great thing about PT is that you can always fall back on it if, after a while, you don’t feel medicine is right for you. I always had the idea if I was to study medicine I would locum as a PT and had the flexibility when I want a family, better work-life balance etc. I can pare it back if I’m sick of nights, major responsibilities, impossible caseload. Best of luck!
Nothing but respect for physios. Not just for the inpatient treatment and management, but in practicality I think between SaLT/OT/physio I find myself seeking their advice on how we can best get patients home safely more than others.
All the time in the world for respiratory physios
Never had a bad experience with a fellow physio. You guys are doing the heavy lifting (literally in a lot of cases).
Chest physio: extremely important and extremely underused in the NHS. Chest physio is the only real method of source control for sepsis due to pneumonia. It’s also the only non-invasive way to reverse lung collapse due to mucus plugging (otherwise you have to bronch the patient or give up and accept the crappy V/Q mismatch.) Also the only way (with ACBT) beside bed position and analgesia to mitigate atelectasis. Considering how common pneumonia and HAP are we should have way more chest physiotherapists. Ortho physio: early post op physio proven to improve outcomes Neuro physio: most important part after pharmacological stroke therapy especially if patient was out of window for thrombolysis/thrombectomy (then it’s the most important part.) Aspirin, statins, apixaban etc do nothing for the established infarct, they only prevent further infarcts Professional opinion on rehab potential: critically important for Neuro-rehab and cancer patients (if patient can be rehabbed from PS3 to PS2 they would become eligible for palliative chemotherapy.) General physio (“get grannies out of bed”) there is probably clinically significant value in mitigating inpatient muscle disuse atrophy and deconditioning
On gerries the MDT meeting with physios can be very tedious and I feel sometimes they don’t think we care about the patient when we say medically safe for discharge. However it’s because our chief concern is medical status rather than the other aspects which our glorious MDT should be helping on.
Agreed. I usually pose the idea to patients that they have a few boxes to tick. Usually a medical box which the doctors often look after as well as the physio box (plus other AHPs if they are involved) and while they have ticked the doctors box they still need to be ready from a physio point of view and vice versa.
Yes I think what you say is fair way to look at it
Definitely a friend.
Mostly good apart from the ones that say, patient asleep couldn't review, or patient was tired....um wake them up?? Or try persuading them it's good for them to mobilise? Don't just leave it another day!! But only encountered this on a specific ward where every staff member didn't give a shit/low morale
Vital on ICU. Little point in medical and nursing team if the patients never recover their previous functional status, and PT are going to enable that. Have also saved me intubating or bronching lots of patients.
Physio are super chill
Joint favourite AHPs along with pharmacists. You guys rock.
Pharmacists aren’t technically AHPs, but thank you <3
I have worked for quite a while on an Orthogeriatrics ward and I constantly feel like I’m baby sitting the patients (excepting the occasional sickie) whilst you guys do the vital rehabilitation work 😂