Personal Learning Needs

In regard to my preparation for professional practice, I have identified some individual learning needs.

One personal learning need I identified over the course of my physiotherapy journey, is the need to improve my writing skills. Throughout, I have realised that having the skill to be able to write effectively academically is core. Reason being, these skills will be needed post qualification as well, whilst working. This learning need was met via an online course on Physiopedia, called How To Improve Your Writing Skills. I made notes during this course, in which I learnt tips on what to do and what not to do, I also learnt different writing styles, rules of writing a research paper – useful for degree and module. However, there was potential for further learning, such as tips for post qualification or outside of academics, i.e. writing skills used for emails or letters; also, examples of good and bad quality writings would have been helpful.

Another personal learning need I identified is not because I required it during my physiotherapy journey, but because, I wished to gain some basic knowledge around sports physiotherapy, especially as I know that post qualification, my focus is going to be Paediatric physiotherapy, and I may not be able to gain this knowledge. I acted upon this learning need by completing an online course (on Physiopedia) called Injury and Healing in Sports Physiotherapy. Throughout this course, I made notes, and I learnt about specific phases of soft tissue healing, how physiotherapists can assist the healing process and the role of mechanical loading and how it affects the healing process. There was no further potential for this course, as I achieved and learnt what I wanted to.

The next personal learning need was identified prior to my last placement which was a respiratory placement. I felt the need to gain some basic knowledge around this topic in preparation for my placement. Despite having some theory knowledge, I needed to understand what an ICU is and what it would be like to work there as a Physiotherapist. This gap was voided through completing a course on Physiopedia, called Introduction To The Intensive Care Unit. The notes I made on this course helped me achieve some basic theoretical knowledge preparing me for my placement. In terms of this specific CPD, there was no further potential, other than learning about this topic practically whilst on placement.

Having an interest in paediatric physiotherapy, but not gaining exposure in that area, led to another learning need. This is because, I have not had a placement on it and neither have I had much learning on it, which I would require for the future once I start working. I completed an online course on Physiopedia, called Introduction to Paediatric Physiotherapy. Completing a course for this learning need, has given me an insight as to what to expect and also more knowledge in a topic of interest and passion. I have learnt what the role is of paediatric physiotherapists and what to expect as a paediatric physiotherapist. However, there is room for further learning. Much more knowledge, study and courses will be required prior to working, as well as learning practically on the job.

The last learning need, I identified was in regard to my last placement – respiratory. As my last placement was in a hospital setting in a respiratory unit, this topic of interest became a learning need. Throughout the online course on Physiopedia, called Respiratory Physiotherapy for the ICU Patient, I gained knowledge in understanding what a Physiotherapist’s role is in regard to this area. This was also part of my placement preparation, which will help with m professional practice once I qualify. There were some gaps in preparation and knowledge with this specific course; I could have chosen a different method of CPD in addition to this course, which could have helped expand my understanding.

Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

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