The (Un)expected Benefits of Studying Rehabilitation
The (un)expected benefits of studying rehabilitation
Spending the last few days preparing for teaching the REHB701 Rehabilitation Principles paper for 2019 has been fun! I took this course in 2010 and it had a huge impact on the way I practiced as a physiotherapist and in my future career (now mainly in the area of teaching and clinical research).
Rehabilitation studies, with a focus on understanding how best to support a person experiencing disability to live well so that they are able to meaningfully participate in valued life activities and roles, resonated with me. I had worked as a physiotherapist for 20 years, alongside people with acquired brain injuries – so I understood the need to think beyond what we deliver, to also consider how we deliver. The way I related to people was important. The role I took within that relationship was important. How well I was able to listen to their priorities and concerns was important. My ability to work interprofessionally was important. I may have had the best technical skills in the world, but if I didn’t use relational practices that respected and utilised the strengths of the person I was working alongside, then the outcomes would be less than optimal and the process less than empowering for the person undergoing rehabilitation. Within REHB701 I was able to draw on my clinical experiences, developing theoretical ‘coat hangers’ from which to hang the various ideas. I developed a language to articulate the key rehabilitation concepts, allowing me to communicate more effectively with both patients and rehabilitation team members. The bonus bit was that I was also re-energised within my work role!
And I loved the learning…. Studying with people from a range of clinical backgrounds was eye-opening and encouraging. Gaining confidence with reading research papers. Improving my written skills. Building my confidence when contributing to complex issue discussions. But most of all, starting to pay more attention to the experiences of people who are undergoing rehabilitation. Listening to their voices. Hearing their stories. Starting to understand their perspectives – and then critically reflecting on my own practice, as well as the structure of rehabilitation services, in the light of these new insights.
So, consider starting your own studies in rehabilitation. Just like I did in 2010, consider the possibility of ‘dabbling’ a bit. Put a toe in the water. Explore the possibilities. And you never know – you might end up ‘going deep’!
-Rachelle Martin
