Ten Otago Medical School Physiotherapists to work at MidCentral Health for final year

03/02/2009 | Physiotherapy students at MidCentral Health

Ten final year physiotherapy students from Otago Medical School will spend the year working on-the–job with MidCentral Health patients starting yesterday (2 Feb).

Ten final year Otago Medical School physiotherapists put a bounce into their first day at work at MidCentral Health.

The fourth-year students will be involved in three basic physiotherapy work areas at the hospital: musculoskeletal, cardiothoracic and neurology, and elective work in paediatrics, women’s health and also in private practice in the region.

Previously MidCentral Health hosted about six students a year for six-week rotations.

Last year Hutt Valley successfully trialled students in a pilot project and Nelson the year before.

It is hoped that the advantage of having the students here for a year is that they will maybe get a flat, and will get to know and enjoy MidCentral Health and the local region and will want to remain as qualified physiotherapists.

Several of the students either live or have family locally and are excited about being closer to home rather than in Dunedin. The students will be supported by a half time fellow or tutor employed by Otago on site. It is anticipated that this presence will also benefit the rest of the physiotherapy team.