Studying physiotherapy - bad idea?

[UniWorries732]

DD is hoping to study physiotherapy next year at university. AIBU to think that in the current climate this is not a good idea? Recent graduate physios are really struggling to get jobs due to mass NHS recruitment freezes - I’ve heard of many going unemployed which not too long ago was unheard of! Pay isn’t great either (Band 5 = £29k) considering cost of living and the level of study undertaken. To be frank it wouldn’t fund the lifestyle that DD wants/likes to lead and I’ve been trying to gently tell her this.

For a bit of background I’m a highly specialised B7 physio with over 20 years of experience - I absolutely adore my job, always have done but the world is a very different place compared to when I qualified!

Anyone? 😬

Doctor here and I tend to agree. I think the NHS is in a state of flux/uncertainty at a level which has never been seen before. I don’t think we know what the workforce model of the future will be and that includes for doctors, nurses, AHPs of all disciplines.

I’d really try to get your daughter to understand what she finds attractive about the career path and consider a wider range of options.

I agree with you. She will come out with debt and have limited opportunities to earn well. If she wants to do it she needs to go in with her eyes wide open.

Aren't there opportunities in private physio work? I live in a small town and the private physio here has too much work and is looking for another member of staff.

v good friend is a physio. He managed to live abroad supporting sports teams and had a f good run. Now back in uk and with nhs and the sums only really make sense if pt and supplemented by other external pursuits, inc yoga and post trauma recovery (private)

So can be a fine career path but need to work hard to get the lay of the land and be able to work within it..,

There definitely is opportunity privately but as a physio myself this really isn’t ideal for a new graduate - in the early years they need the variety and complexity that seeing patients in an NHS hospital based setting brings. Personally (having worked with quite a few) I would actively avoid a physio who has never done NHS rotational work, you can really tell that they don’t have the same experience or depth of knowledge.

In summary..

Had her heart set on medicine for many years - very bright but didn’t turn out to be quite as academic as she was when she was younger for various reasons (has my genetics I think.. absolutely rubbish at chemistry!) but still wanted to do something healthcare related. She’s very interested in orthopaedics and working with spinal patients due to having extensive surgery so physio is a good route for this.

We’ve discussed it at length this weekend. She’s still going to go for physio and we will see how things go re: the job situation over the next 3 years. I’m wondering if the NHS will even still exist in its current entity to be frank! Worst comes to worst she can always go into a more corporate role as they like healthcare related graduates for their good communication skills.

There are areas of physio where jobs are hard to fill/easier to get jobs, especially if flexible around location. I'm a B7 paediatric physio in London and we struggle to get good UK candidates for our paeds roles - generally prefer UK trained candidates, or those trained in similar health economies, such as Australia/NZ.

A good option if worried about B5 jobs is to train in Wales - they have reduced/no fees as long as work for nhs in Wales for 2 years post graduation, so are pretty much guaranteed a job as get priority over candidates who gave trained elsewhere.

It is hard though isn't it. My daughter wants to be a teacher, very worthwhile job, but so stressful with lots of extra unpaid work, often unappreciated, part of me wants to put her off, but we have to let them chose their own paths.

Yes, have bursary and need to work for two years in Wales but beware, she won’t want to leave!

A friend’s DD went to Cardiff for physio and honestly really wasn’t keen, didn’t find the course or tutors brilliant either - I looked over a few of her assignments and wasn’t impressed. DD originally had Cardiff down as an option but after visiting she swiftly took it off the list - didn’t like the city at all. Sorry @Ritasueandbobtoo9 🙈!

This is good to hear re: paeds roles though - DD is definitely interested in this as a speciality. Pretty much the only area I’ve never worked in so I can’t advise her!

alright stay in England then

One of my current B6's went there and loved it. But that was about 5 years ago so maybe has changed.

Personally (and I'm biased of course) I think paeds is the best - in a standard day I do a mix of orthopaedics, neuro, msk, respiratory etc, so never get bored and always new challenges, need to be flexible and able to think creatively.

UEA is another good one for B5 jobs. They have a huge 24 person B5 rotational scheme, so 12 jobs come up most years.