M Phty (Sports) 2013

On Saturday I graduated with my Masters of Physiotherapy in the field of sport!  This year I went back to uni and studied my post-graduate Masters of Physiotherapy at the University of Queensland (UQ) because since I was about 13 all I've wanted to do was be a Sports Physio.  I chose to study full time and work part time so I could complete this course in 1 year.  Previously you have been able to complete the course part-time over 2 years.  Below is a recap of the year. 

 

The questions a lot of people have asked me are what does that mean and where does that get you.

Firstly I want to explain that completing your Masters in Physiotherapy (majoring in sport, or musculoskeletal physiotherapy) is completely different to studying a Masters of Physiotherapy Studies. 

Post Grad Masters in Physiotherapy Studies (MPhtySt): http://www.uq.edu.au/study/program.html?acad_prog=5267

A Masters in Physiotherapy Studies is essentially an accelerated Bachelor of Physiotherapy (B Phty) degree and to be honest I think it’s confusing to the general population and somewhat offensive to Masters of Physiotherapy graduates, to call this a Master’s degree.  To be accepted into this program, a student must have completed an approved bachelor degree or equivalent (other than physiotherapy) such as human movement studies, with a minimum GPA (varies year to year).  Prerequisite courses in human anatomy, human physiology, psychology and statistics are also required.  Over 2 years (6 semesters) the M PhtySt student learns the same as a B Phty student, with the addition of a larger research project.    

Post-Grad Masters in Physiotherapy (MPhty(sports)):  http://www.uq.edu.au/study/program.html?acad_prog=5221

At UQ you can choose to study a post-grad Masters in Physiotherapy in Sport or Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.  The Sports program aims to provide advanced, specialised training in sports physiotherapy.  To qualify for this program the candidate must have a 4 year degree in physiotherapy (or equivalent), have at least 2 years full time clinical experience and submit a written application.

As I said earlier you can complete this course over 1 or 2 years (soon to be changing to a partly online course).  Australian students are also eligible for Commonwealth funded positions with HECS-HELP also available.  Once you have completed this course you are eligible to apply for the title of Sports Physiotherapist.  The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) use “titling” to recognise members with advanced expertise and experience in their relevant area of practice.  APA Titled physiotherapists are highly qualified physiotherapists with expert knowledge and skills in their area of practice. They undergo a rigorous selection process to ensure that they achieve and maintain exceptional standards of clinical experience and knowledge.  The APA Title serves as a professional mark of distinction.  Students who study a Masters of Physiotherapy Studies are not eligible for a title.   

      
Each semester has 3 subjects, see below:

PHTY 7101 - Advanced Studies in the Basic, Behavioural & Medical Sciences A
PHTY 7103 - Theory & Practice of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy A
PHTY 7111 - The Scientific Basis of Advanced Therapeutic Exercise
PHTY 7018 – Directed Research Project
PHTY 7303 - Theory & Practice of Sports Physiotherapy
PHTY 7305 - Advanced Studies in Sports Science for Sports Physiotherapy

All subjects in first semester are shared between Musculoskeletal (Muskies) and Sports (Sporties) students.  Anatomy dissection (PHTY 7101) was definitely a highlight of semester 1.  Body donation is an extraordinary gift that allows many students at UQ the chance to learn anatomy and knowledge of the human body.  http://www.uq.edu.au/sbms/body-donor-program .  There is nothing like learning from the real thing and having the opportunity to work with the cadavers at UQ was an amazing experience and much more insightful then a textbook. 

Second semester sees two smaller groups form – Muskies and Sporties - and subjects become more specific and I enjoyed semester 2 much more because of this.  A lot of work is self-directed in this course which is both positive and negative.  It certainly teaches you to be motivated and organised, but there were times were some direction would have helped make an easier or smoother road to travel.    

2013 Sporties

 

Second semester also involves a group research project.  I was fortunate to be supervised by Associate Professor Kay Crossley and work with two other dedicated Masters students, Paul and Jennie.  We’re currently working on finalising our research paper “Exercise and Manual Therapy for Hip Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” and hope to have this published next year.  Kay's guidance and encouragement made this seemingly unachievable and unending project possible and enjoyable.  I certainly have a better understanding of Level 1 evidence and the work that goes into preparing this.        

Jennie, me, Kay, Paul

This year I have grown as a person and as a physiotherapist.  Juggling full time study with part time work was certainly challenging.  You’ve got to be organised to attempt something like this.  For me that meant 2012 was a year of saving and planning.  This enabled me to focus on study this year.  I managed to work about 8 hours a week (Saturdays and Thursday nights) each semester and extra during the uni holidays.  Thanks to my boss Julie for being so flexible and allowing me to essentially take a year off!  There wasn’t much time for anything other than work, sleep, eat and study. 

While all adventures we attempt in life come with ups and downs, highlights and lowlights, overall, completing my Masters in Sports Physiotherapy was well and truly worth all the lack of sleep, disappointment, feelings of uselessness and self-doubt, tears, frustration and stress.  I don’t think anyone would say that this year has been easy.  I couldn’t have made it through each day at uni without Kylie and Jen – thanks for your support, friendship and teamwork this year.  I’ve made lifelong friends and can’t wait to see where this road takes us.

And finally as this starts to sound like an Oscar’s award speech, thanks to my family for your never-ending love and support (and all the editing of my assignments, being guinea pigs for my practice and sending me home with leftovers so I didn’t have to cook!)

Dad, me, Mum

 

Next year I’ll be working at Revive Ashgrove and Back2Balance Physiotherapy.  I’m looking forward to a new challenge at B2B and continuing my current work at Revive.  Having my Masters now opens doors to working at the Commonwealth and Olympic Games, with one of my goals being to get to the Gold Coast Comm Games in 2018.  It also means that I can follow an academic pathway (i.e. PhD) if I want to. 

LB