Poppy Roseanna Morgan

1.0 INTRODUCTION

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Following my aspirations, I am currently doing a Masters Degree in Veterinary Physiotherapy at Writtle University College.  I will be working full-time alongside my part-time course which has been shown to have undesirable results (Curtis and Shani, 2010), so structured study and organisation will be key.  After two years I will be able to practice once registered with the National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists (NAVP) with a Postgraduate Diploma in Veterinary Physiotherapy, whilst completing my dissertation over the third year giving me a full Masters degree.

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My goal once qualified is to be self-employed specialising in equines and canines, also offering horse and rider joint physiotherapy sessions, as rider assymetry can cause equine musculoskeletal injury (Symes and Ellis, 2009).  Whilst being self-employed I will aim to attend regular conferences and enrol on relevant courses to increase my skills and continue my Continuing Professional Development. 

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2.0 ACHIEVEMENTS 

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National Diploma in Animal Management 

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I attended Sparsholt College from 2008-2010 where I learnt the foundations of anatomy and animal handling skills.  The course covered a wide range of species, including equines, canines, felines, exotics, avian, reptiles, farm animals and small mammals.  This has provided me with experience in handling a range of different animals which may be useful in the future if I wish to branch out to other specialities.  

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Modules included:

• Practical animal handling and behaviour with dogs, avian and other exotic species

• Health and nutrition

• Breeding and welfare

• Biology and anatomy

• Exotic and zoo husbandry

• Conservation and wildlife rehabilitation

• Nursing, aquatics, equine and farm livestock

• Animal Welfare

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Completing this course has provided me with the foundations needed to work with a range of species, vital handling skills and basic anatomy can now be build upon in my MSc.  

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BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy

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I completed a Bachelors Degree at the University of Southampton, a Russell Group University, from 2013-2016 where I trained to be a human physiotherapist.  This enabled me to learn the process of clinical assessment, and develop treatment plans accordingly.  

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Modules included:

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• Foundations of Physiotherapy Practice

• Cardiorespiratory Clinical Management

• Neuromusculoskeletal Clinical Management

• Neurology Clinical Management

• Special Client Groups Clinical Management

• Principles of Physiotherapy Practice

• Research Methods

• Integrated Clinical Management

• Complex Clinical Management

• Future Professional Practice: Influencing Innovation and Change

• Pain: Theory and Management for Physiotherapists

• 4 x practice placements 

• Research Proposal

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Completing these modules enabled me to build both academically and professionally and taught me the skills needed while studying and when qualified. Many of the principles and treatments are the same in human and veterinary physiotherapy.  The research project has made me familiar with collecting data, using SPSS and writing a report which will be beneficial in my first year for the Biomechanics and Gait Evaluation module, and my dissertation in year 3. 

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MSc Veterinary Physiotherapy

 

I am currently studying an MSc in Veterinary Physiotherapy at Writtle University College.  Modules include:

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• Advanced Functional Anatomy

• Pathophysiology of Injury and Disease

• Biomechanics and Gait Evaluation

• Clinical Practice for Veterinary Physiotherapists

• Physiotherapeutic Techniques and Clinical Skills

• Rehabilitation and Remedial Exercise 

• Placement Days

• Dissertation

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To graduate, I will need to pass a number of written and practical elements under the NAVP, to show I am competent in both my handling and knowledge to become a Veterinary Physiotherapist.

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Equinology EQ50

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I have been completing the EQ50 anatomy distance course to start the foundations of my anatomy knowledge.  The course provided a useful manual which will also be beneficial when studying my MSc, and provides tests that I can use as part of my learning to consolidate knowledge; as shown by Roediger and Karpicke (2006).

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Canine First Aid

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I completed a course in canine first aid to prepare me for any potential emergencies that may occur when working with clients.  

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Personal animal experience

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I have owned horses my whole life, and competed in a number of disciplines but particularly showing.  Whilst in the show circuit I have had the privilege of lessons with international show judges who have taught me much about conformation and gait.  Giving me this insight has enabled me to study horses in the show ring and analyse their movement - an essential skill for the Biomechanics and Gait Evaluation component.  I have also aided the training and showing of a number of horses, from miniature shetlands, to ex-racehorses, to shires, giving me the natural confidence to work around unfamiliar horses of all shapes and sizes.  Similarly, owning dogs and cats from a young age will give me the skills to handle clients efficiently and confidently, essential for my current study and career.    

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Work achievements

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During my time as a Physiotherapist, I have needed to work closely with the consultants, nurses, occupational therapists, social workers and health care assistants as part of the multidisciplinary team (MDT).  Not only does this involve day-to-day working but I have to attend weekly MDT meetings representing physiotherapy and sharing progress and goals for each patient.  This sometimes involved differences of opinion when it came to patient discharges and I have needed to argue with consultants in the patient's best interest if it would have been an unsafe discharge due to poor mobility.  I have also needed to advise and reinforce that a patient may need a scan for suspected stroke, fracture or lung pathology.  This is a valuable skill that will be utilised as a qualified veterinary physiotherapist, as I will need to work alongside veterinarians, owners, and for equines saddlers and farriers too, to optimise treatment. 

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For my work as a physiotherapist in the community, I have to be organised in making appointments, and manage my caseload and time efficiently.  As we cover a very large area, I need to be mindful of my patients' location and try to group them accordingly to make best use of my time,  I am familiar with clinical noting and confidentiality which will stand me in good stead for my self employment as a veterinary physiotherapist.  

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3.0 SWOT ANALYSIS

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Strengths

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• I am already managing my caseload in my current job, and have developed my time management skills to ensure I use my time efficiently by attempting to group patients on the same day according to their location.

• I am familiar with creating individualised treatment programmes after thorough assessment, taking into account the materials available and ability of the patient, so as to keep treatment plans realistic and increase compliance.     

• I have years of equine and canine handling experience which will give me a natural confidence around my clients, meaning I will be relaxed during treatment which is important as stress can transfer onto animals (Zubedat et al, 2014) and increases the likelihood of being bitten by dogs (Westgarth et al, 2018).

• I am extremely self motivated and hardworking, which is essential in my current part time, distant course, to keep on top of work and make sure I have put maximum effort into each assignment and revision.

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Weaknesses 

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• I am a very positive person, which can be a weakness as I try to keep optimistic with my patients and giving false hope would be an issue if they have no rehab potential.  Usually I will exhaust every treatment option possible before expressing there may be no potential, I should, instead, prepare the client with the worst possible outcome but explain every option will be tried first.  This may not necessarily be as relevant as a veterinary physiotherapist, as I will be treating with veterinary referral/permission only so the veterinarian may have had this discussion with the owner.  However, I will struggle to give my clients negative pieces of advice too and will need to reinforce it is in the animal's best interest, 

• During my interview for Writtle College, it was identified by my interviewer that my biggest weakness with regards to experience was working with unfamiliar dogs in unfamiliar/stressful scenarios or settings.  I attend dog agility, dog socialisation and have done obedience training with my own dogs but have had little contact with strange dogs.  I also recognise when in pain, a dog is more likely to be aggressive (Camps et al, 2012), making them harder to treat.

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Opportunities

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• Placement days at University will allow me to put theory learned into practice and define my assessment and treatment techniques before qualifying.

• I am lucky enough to have close connections with equine physiotherapists and the supervet - who have offered to let me shadow and observe operations and how the veterinary physiotherapist facilitates rehabilitation in line with procedure protocols.  Having insight into what particular operations entail will help my understanding with following treatments and educating owners.  

• During my study I am also working full time, having two jobs as well as my own animals to look after I will need to keep organised and balance my work/study/leisure time well to avoid overwhelming myself and becoming stressed (Misra and McKean, 2000).

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Threats

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• During my study I am also working full time, having two jobs as well as my own animals to look after, so I will need to keep organised and balance my work/study/leisure time well to avoid overwhelming myself and becoming stressed (Misra and McKean, 2000).

• There are already many veterinary physiotherapists/equine bodyworkers/chiropractors/bowens in my area, which means I could have trouble developing a caseload as a newly qualified with no client references.  I will need to keep my prices desirable and use advertising and social media to get my name recognised. 

• During my study I am also working full time, having two jobs as well as my own animals to look after I will need to keep organised and balance my work/study/leisure time well to avoid overwhelming myself and becoming stressed (Misra and McKean, 2000).

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4.0 ACTION PLAN AND GOALS

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Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timescale (SMART) goals are an effective way to clarify goals and stay focused, and improve student learning (Conzemius and O'Neill, 2009).  I am familiar with using SMART goals in my current employment, as they are decided with each patient to establish when treatment is complete or unachievable.  I will be using SMART goals throughout my MSc and personal development planning to break down personal objectives so I can channel my focus into each one individually.

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Develop Communication Skills

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SMART GOAL: 

To increase my communication skills with regards to bad news or conflict, by practicing in my current job role, within the two years of my study.

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I need to practice and develop communication skills in giving difficult advice that could potentially upset the client.  I can build on these skills in my current job by starting to prepare patients and relatives for the worst possible outcome if the treatment options will not help, i.e. a patient that may not be able to walk again.  Doing this will help build my confidence and avoid giving clients false hope.  

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Increasing Canine Handling Competency

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SMART GOAL: 

To increase my canine handling skills by seeking opportunities to handle a variety of dogs in different settings and scenarios, within the two years of my study.

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A skill I need to develop is canine handling skills, especially with those in pain or anxious, as I will be treating animals in pain throughout my career.  I am going to spend some time helping at veterinary practices where dogs are usually at their most anxious.  Improving my confidence around dogs will make me a more competent veterinary physiotherapist.

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Effective Time Management

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SMART GOAL: 

To manage my work/study/leisure balance effectively to avoid stress and make efficient use of my time in the three years of my MSc.

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I have recently purchased a planner which I have started using to manage my time and plan study and leisure time around work.  Within this I have organised what I am going to focus on in each study period and set mini goals, for example, in this module I aimed to write a reflection on an allocated day which broke down the work and made it more manageable.  By making effective use of my time, I know that my work will be done on time and to the best of my ability.   

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REFERENCES

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Camps T, Amat M, Mariotti VM, Le Brech S and Manteca X (2012).  Pain-related aggression in dogs: 12 clinical cases. Journal of Veterinary Behaviour: Clinical Applications and Research.  7(2), pp. 99-102.

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Conzemius A, O'Neill J (2009).  The power of SMART Goals: Using goals to improve student learning.  Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press. 

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Curtis and Shani (2010).  The effect of taking paid employment during term-time on students' academic studies.  Journal of Further and Higher Education.  26(2), pp. 129-138.  

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Misra, R and McKean, M (2000). College students’ academic stress and its relation to their anxiety, time management and leisure satisfaction. American Journal of Health Studies. 16(1), pp. 41-51.

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Roediger, H and Karpicke, J (2006). Test-Enhanced Learning - Taking Memory Tests Improves Long-Term Retention. Psychological Science. 17 (3), pp. 249-255.

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Symes D and Ellis R (2009).  A preliminary study into rider asymmetry within equitation.  The Veterinary Journal.  181(1), pp. 34-37.

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Westgarth C, Brooke M and Christley RM (2018).  How many people have been bitten by dogs?  A cross-sectional survey of prevalence, incidence and factors associated with dog bites in a UK community.  Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.  72(4), pp.331-336.

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Zubedat S, Aga-Mizrachi S, Cymerblit-Sabba A, Shwartz J, Leon JF, Rozen S, Varkovitzky I, Eshed Y, Grinstein D and Avital A (2014). Human–animal interface: The effects of handler’s stress on the performance of canines in an explosive detection task.  Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 158, pp. 69–75.