Mental Health Physiotherapy

[rjohnpaul]

welcome to all the physios in mental health....It would be worthwhile to just have a discussion on various issues in clinically managing patients in a physiotherapeutic capacity...
Probably will be nice to introduce ourselves.
I am John and work in nhs highland as a senior physio...

[rjohnpaul]

Hi
seems there are not much physios in the MH field..
Would be interested in anyone who have or looking to work in MH..

[drphysio]

yah john i am interested to wrk in MH,but i need some more explanation from u.

[ΑΧΙΛΛΕΥΣ]

Working with MH people is my first job. I work with one gentleman who is recieving Physio after sustaining damage to his pelvis, don't know the details?

My own experience on it is: Patient compliance can be very low, depending on how much their MH incapacitates them? They will know that what they are doing is required as that's what they've been told, but the very nature of MH often means working with people who have very poor bio-mechanics, tight muscles etc, all adding to a mix that makes for little head way. A staff supporting team who will usually work with the client with MH is obviously important.

The downside of my job is that the gentleman I mentioned who is recieving physio a year after his injury, is still following the same lamanated banal routine. It's just become so token gesture. You see, this is because he is supported by an organisation who support people with MH and likewise with the physio he attends, so the dusty politics come into play because of who your dealing with. Anyway, that's another grumble.

[phyzzio]

I am the superintendent of an active Mental Health Physiotherapy department and head of the Central Therapies Department - includes OT and complimentary therapists. We treat a variety of physical conditions as well as the MH side. We have 3 acute wards, including a High Dependancy Unit, 2 Rehab wards, 2 neuro-behavioural, 2 Older Persons Assessment units and Day Hospital, and a Drug and Alcohol Abuse Unit. As well as these we also have a Child and Adolecence Unit and 5 local Mental Health Resource Centres, each with 8 beds and day service and a Post Natal Unit.
From a physical side, we treat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, chronic pain, MS, dystrophies, post traumatic stress disorders (and the accompanying amputations etc), head injuries - recent as well as established, fractures etc.
I have worked in MH for over 20 years and have treated the majority of complaints that you would see elsewhere.We have a large Sports hall and a weight room as well as two treatment rooms.
MH is very stimulating!!!!

[rjohnpaul]

I am a senior 1 physio in MH and find this a very stimulating speciality. I have been working in this field for over 2 years and would like to continue so.

[oscar]

I'm a final year physio student and did a 6 week placement in a psychiatric hospital...I found the placement very stimulating too and nothing like I expected, it certainly challenged me in more ways than I thought it could and opened my eyes up to this field of physio People said to me that i would learn a lot of non-physio skills and that was certainly true!

[emmaphysio]

Im going for an interview for a junior job in mental health tomorrow and have been trying to get some background reading done. What ive read really interests me and although its not a common student placement, I would really like to get into this field. So fingers crossed for tomorrow!

[oscar]

Since my earlier post I'm now a junior physio, currently on rotation in mental health. I'm really enjoying it so far...and am glad I had the opportunity as a student to work in the area, it's a really interesting field to be in!

Good luck in your interview emma!

[miss pt]

hello. i am intern PT, and I have ever read about MH . my it interested.
can you help me to find articles about it?

[emmaphysio]

Thanks Oscar
Where do you work? I got asked about team working, motivation, metabolic syndrome, what experiences ive had that i could bring into the job, why mental health.. and then a written question on what would i do before taking patients to a swimming pool, during the session and then when one of them manages to leave what would i do? one of the panel was really impressed that i'd done some background reading, we discussed the bennett inquiry a bit! I wont hear anything until at least friday i think, but the place seemed nice, i had a tour and the staff were all nice and friendly. Im excited!

[rjohnpaul]

I would be interested to know how many british physios in this forum work in mental health and if they are involved in a Clinical interest group such as the CPMH

[Flexarrina]

Hi,
Im a third year physio student, currently working on a poster project around the subject of mental health. I was wondering if any one working in this area, or with experience in this area from placements, had any views on areas within mental health that are not sufficiently catered for with regards physiotherapy, or any areas that physiotherapists could get involved in but aren't already.

I have unfortunately had no personal experience of mental health physiotherapy so all my research is from literature and it would be good to get some thoughts from people based on personal experience and opinions.

I hope that all makes sense

[rjohnpaul]

Hi
I work in mental health and would agree that there are various issues/challenges which could be very well presented as a poster.
1. A very challenging client group.- you could work for the olympic team or a very busy outpatient department where the majority of your caseload are highly motivated individuals. In MH, you are working with a group who are not motivated, lack confidence or even looking to self harm. The challenge is how you ensure that these people comply to your treatments and recommendations, hence job satisfaction is very hard to come by, which means
2. Therapist views and attitude is very important.-This to me is the bullseye. You could be a great physio with plenty of knowledge but if you lack the attitude, then you are useless. The qualities of a MH physio is to be very patient and persistent with your approach ensuring that something is delivered for the benefit of your patient. The Ability to think out of the box and sometimes focus on a holistic method.- I personally think this is the way to go. Using various complementary therapies as an adjunct to physiotherapy can be very rewarding. Therapies such as swedish massage, reflexology, Acupuncture, acupressure, relaxation therapies, etc can be very useful
Good skill in the use of exercise and ability to promote physical activity are other avenues which can also be added strings in the bow of a Mental health physio.
The bottom line is - to be a good MH physio you've got to be a Jack Of All Trades.

I feel physios should be more pro active in their approach and take up more responsibility and upgrade themseves as health promotion specialists.
Hope this can sum up what you are looking for.
cheers
JP

[Flexarrina]

Thank-you for the insight, thats really helpful and definitely gives me some good areas to look into. I can see this is going to be an interesting project!