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| (Matthew is in black, standing on the extreme left of the photo) |
How I came to choose Physiotherapy
That time of the year came when A-level results are released. Questions
started arising: What now? What do I really want to study? Overseas or Local?
With these questions in mind, I used the
time while I was in National Service to narrow down the courses I was
interested in, tried to teleport myself 10 years into the future, and this is
how it went:
Desk Job? Nah.
A desk job was simply a no-no. I knew I had
an interest in the life sciences and the human anatomy. Research? Yes, but the
thought of spending years on end cultivating bacteria and waiting for results
was quite a huge turn-off – it just wasn’t my cup of tea.
I remember attending the Xperience Pharmacy
camp organized by NUS Department of Pharmacy. During my Junior College years
then, I shadowed the current Associate Consultant Clinical Pharmacist at Khoo
Teck Puat Hospital, Mdm Doreen Tan, who gave me an eye opener to clinical work.
The hustle and bustle of going around the wards, being kept on your feet for
the greater part of the day, meeting different people and going to work knowing
there is nothing routine about your day were all major pulling factors towards
working in a clinical setting.
So
which discipline?
However the question was now: which
discipline? I was introduced to the other lesser-known-yet-indispensable Allied
Health professions (AHP) by Doreen who helped expand my limited knowledge on
the patient care system from “in” to “out” patient care. More importantly, she
debunked my stereotype of doctors and nurses being the only ones important in
patient care and management. My largest takeaway from the shadowing stint: a doctor’s role in patient care is not as
large as most may think. Doctors play a pivotal role in healthcare, yet many
other AHP work seamlessly alongside doctors as cogs in that giant machine.
Hard
Truth #1: Physiotherapy was not my first choice.
Medicine was. Well, at the time of
university application, I didn’t know whether I really wanted to be a doctor.
Medicine popped into mind together with wanting to work in the healthcare
industry. Not much about the other health professions I knew, except that Singapore
did not offer local degree courses for AHP.
So I did apply for Medicine… and was
rejected.
Thus, you can say Physiotherapy was my “Plan
B” for Medicine. But after a year in the Physiotherapy course, after speaking with
some of my Medicine friends and hearing their doubts about entering the course,
I can say I am glad I chose Physiotherapy. If however, you truly think Medicine
is for you, go ahead and apply for the course! But if you are feeling something
for one of the many AHP out there, then do continue reading! Of course, you are
welcome to read even if your heart is already set on medicine! I will be in
seventh heaven if I can change your mind!
Pharmacy?
Podiatry? Speech Therapy? Decide!
So I went to further explore the other AHP.
The clinical environment was too exciting for me to give it up. Much as I had
an interest in Clinical Pharmacy after the Camp, the thought of marrying Chemistry
for the next four years after my harrowing relationship with JC Chemistry was a bit daunting (For all Org Chem
Lovers: even if you do not excel in it, Pharmacy is for you!). My forte and interest were in practical, hands-on
interaction and thus I narrowed it down to the physical therapy disciplines.
Ultimately,
Physiotherapy.
Each discipline has its attractions. Physiotherapy’s
main draw for me is its amalgam of the physical therapy disciplines! I like to
be a Jack of all trades and, perhaps in time to come, a master in more than
one.
Other factors include extensive hands-on
experience, the joy of studying the whole human anatomy (Yes, head to toe). While
protocols are taught as fundamentals, a physiotherapist is encouraged to design
treatment plans creatively – definitely my kind of challenge. Fuse the room for
innovation with the busy and hectic hospital setting and you get why I was
drawn towards Physiotherapy.
Thus, Physiotherapy came up tops after much
deliberation! It is always easy to say in retrospect, but for many of you called
to make a choice about your future for the first time, you may have many doubts
and big questions like, “What if I only like it now?”
My suggestion? Go for attachments to observe
if the environment truly suits you. If you are keen on working in a hospital
but you’re unsure which profession suits, shadow professionals in both Medicine
and Allied Health. Invest some time to
do some research, engage in conversations and attachments, and you will be more
informed to make a wise decision. Yes, it is the holidays – and while the
hospital may be the last place on your mind, you might be surprised at what you
may find at the end of the journey!
Written by:
Matthew Neo
University of Sydney,
Physiotherapy Year 2 (NSW)
