Candid thoughts, reflections, and reality checks

(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)