The Joy of Mentorship: Supporting Physiotherapy Students on Clinical Placement

We know healthcare is under immense pressure in NZ. So providing clinical placements and investing in our future is the right thing for us all to do.

With the shortest day now here, winter can seem dull so I always look for highlights of the day. I must say, a real highlight of the last few days has been seeing the amazing progress our current 4th year physiotherapy student from AUT has made. A big shout out to Hannah!

As physiotherapy is such a practical profession, clinical placements are imperative to allow the integration of all the knowledge gained through the biomedical science papers learnt at university, as well as blend the unique psychosocial needs of the client you are working with.  Introducing students to a variety of patients of all ages and abilities from our sporting elite to those with movement challenges is a joy.

I believe working with students is a value-added experience for all professionals. At Avenues Physio-Fitness our students spend time with all of our team as I believe we learn from everyone.

At our clinic a student gets the opportunity to:
- Develop skills with real patients and help develop strategies to assist all people, to optimise their wellbeing
- Have time to ask questions from clinical experts
- Commence building their toolbox of treatment techniques from hands on mobilisation, to gym-based exercise, hydrotherapy to dry needling
- Establish connections with emerging professionals in our multidisciplinary team who may become valuable colleagues

As a mentor I get the benefit to:
- Reflect and refresh my knowledge
- Interacting with students keeps me updated with the latest academic knowledge and techniques
- Gain fulfilment of acting as a mentor and the opportunity to develop leadership and teaching skills

I have always loved questioning norms and why we do things: Student curiosity and questioning of standard practices leads to critical reflections and improvements in procedures we do at Avenues Physio-Fitness.

Thanks, Hannah for being an awesome student on your current placement – we have learnt so much with you!