- Email: [email protected]
‘Back First’
'Back First' MADAM - We would like to thank Chris Hayne for his review on our training video, 'Back First', in the October Journal, and take this opportunity to reply to his criticisms. Re-evaluating the video, we agree that certain sequences give the impression that we advocate a squat lift. This we do not. We are in favour of the neuromuscular approach, which advocates base movements, as opposed to top heavy movements over a fixed base. The reason for using a hydraulic couch was explained at the start of the video. We are demonstrating the principles of lifting techniques, and therefore use the ideal s e t up to show the manoeuvres clearly. It is up to each individual to adapt these principles to suit a particular situation. The three-person lift is used more widely than Mr Hayne seems to appreciate. Easeslide and transfer boards may be preferable, but not always available. We compared the description on page 46 of the 1987 Royal College of Nursing manual The Handling of Patients, to ours. The difference was that the manual described 'transferring the patient from bed to trolley - a three or more person lift', whereas we described 'lifting a heavy patient off the bed - a three-man lift'. It was not implied that this was a transfer, and it was wrong to compare it as such. It was designed to show how three people work as a team to lift, and not as a transfer between two surfaces. The actual lift itself corresponds exactly to the description given in the manual. The video has now been amended, taking into consideration the above, and other comments received directly. To date 107 videos have been sold, and if any of those purchasers wish to have their copies amended, free of charge, they are asked to forward them, with their name and
Canada Complaint MADAM - In July of last year I applied for a job advertised in your Journal. It was to work with a group private practice in Alberta, Canada. I was given a firm offer of acceptance by my prospective employers. I then applied for accreditation to the Universities Co-ordinating Council, College of Physiotherapists in Alberta. I had to pay about €80 for this service. Then began a story which lasted almost six months, finally ending in my hopes being dashed. I was told that it was unlikely that I would be allowed a licence to practise without a full degree but not that it would be impossible. The j o t offered was so good and the fact that I do have an honours degree in psychology, persuaded me to go ahead and try anyway. I sent off details of my qualifications. Eventually I was sent a copy of syllabus items taken from the Canadian degree course in which the British diploma seemed to be lacking. The course information I had sent originally was lacking in detail, so my school principal (Bristol) expanded on this to give a point-for-point comparison showing that, in fact, I had completed an equivalent course. They had raised a series of objections which I had overcome; they decided to convene a full meeting of the board. For this I had to wait another six weeks. The final decision was that a diploma was inadequate,
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address, to: Video Communication Services, Northampton Health Authority, Highfield, Cliftonville Road, Northampton NNI 5DN. We feel that this is a video for the 1990s. SHEILA JOHNSTON MCSP NORA THRUSH MCSP Northampton
Service Costing MADAM - As the Oxford Regional Steering Group on the Costing of Physiotherapy Services we are looking at methods of costing that are presently being proposed or developed. Any information that could be forwarded to us on this topic or on groups similarly involved would be much appreciated. JACK1 GRlFFlTH MCSP OR Steering Group Physiotherapy Department Horton General Hospital Banbury Oxon OX16 9AL
Surgery and Physiotherapy MADAM - I am planning to carry out research into the practice of physiotherapy on general surgical wards as part of the BSc(Hons) degree, Professional Studies in Health Care, at Teesside Polytechnic. If any readers have a particular interest in this field or have carried out any research into this, or a related field I would be grateful if they could contact me at the address below. DIANA PEAREY MCSP Physiotherapy Department Middlesbrough General Hospital Ayresome Green Lane Middlesbrough CIeve1and TS5 5AZ only a degree would do. They even quoted a paragraph in the regulations stating this categorically. Why then had they kept me hanging on for half a year, when the reply was a foregone conclusion? The secretary let slip that they were afraid of 'setting a precedent'. If they had told me this in the first place I would not have felt so outraged. Presumably, they would not have had the gall to demand such a fee for this information ( $ 150). I am not going to use this platform to say what I think of their behaviour. The facts speak for themselves. They are crying out for physiotherapists in Canada and especially in Alberta. Only the bureaucrats stand in everybody's way. I hope this letter serves as a warning to those who may wish to work there. JON PEARSON BA MCSP Bristol Patricia Allchurch, CSP lnternational affairs adviser, comments: Many British physiotherapists have reported similar frustration. As stated in the December 1990 Journal (page 7681, at present Canadian regulations vary from province to province. From 1993 it is proposed that a// physiotherapists wishing to practise in Canada, whether educated in Canada or abroad, will have to pass a national examination in order t o obtain a licence.
Korner Killed at Christmas MADAM - We would like to ask members what would be the best Christmas present their physiotherapy department could ever wish for? Ours for 1990 was the scrapping of our Korner data collection system. We now enjoy: 0 No more Psions going into 'trap'. 0 No more 30-page code lists to fight with. 0 No more error reports on patients treated three months previously. 0 No more clinical time spent on Comcare form completion - this amounted to at least 30 minutes per day over and above our normal record keeping and clerical duties. The problem is now, where do we go from here? Data must be collected but there seem to be great discrepancies between the data collected in physiotherapy departments across the nation. What is the best information system to use? What additional information would be most beneficial for physiotherapists to collect with a view to contracts and clinical audit? Can readers help? PHYSIOTHERAPY STAFF General Hospitals Unit Barnet Health Authority
Sound Effects MADAM - I am currently undertaking a research project looking at the role of verbal encouragement and distraction on a muscular endurance task. At present the only research literature I have relating to these issues comes from psychology and sports psychology sources. As it is a broad area, I was wondering if anyone who has information or has undertaken any studies in this field could contact me. For instance, does anyone know if the use of verbal encouragement with respiratory function tests has been studied? If anyone has information I would be extremely grateful to hear from them at the address below. MAGGIE BICKERS BSc MCSP DipTP School of Physiotherapy Shepherds House Guy's Hospital St Thomas Street London SEI 9RT
Writers Wanted ?he Editorial Board overseeing the Society's book publishing activities is always looking for budding or experienced writers and editors. If you feel you would like and are able to write a book yourself, co-write one with another author, or edit a book written by several contributors, why not put your name forward? Write to Stuarr Skyte, director of public relations at the Society, setting out your experience and areas of expertise and interest. If you feel there is a particular book the health care market is crying out for and to which you could contribute, please don't hesitate to come forward now.
Physiotherapy, March 1991, vol77, no 3
Canada Complaint MADAM - In July of last year I applied for a job advertised in your Journal. It was to work with a group private practice in Alberta, Canada. I was given a firm offer of acceptance by my prospective employers. I then applied for accreditation to the Universities Co-ordinating Council, College of Physiotherapists in Alberta. I had to pay about €80 for this service. Then began a story which lasted almost six months, finally ending in my hopes being dashed. I was told that it was unlikely that I would be allowed a licence to practise without a full degree but not that it would be impossible. The j o t offered was so good and the fact that I do have an honours degree in psychology, persuaded me to go ahead and try anyway. I sent off details of my qualifications. Eventually I was sent a copy of syllabus items taken from the Canadian degree course in which the British diploma seemed to be lacking. The course information I had sent originally was lacking in detail, so my school principal (Bristol) expanded on this to give a point-for-point comparison showing that, in fact, I had completed an equivalent course. They had raised a series of objections which I had overcome; they decided to convene a full meeting of the board. For this I had to wait another six weeks. The final decision was that a diploma was inadequate,
188
address, to: Video Communication Services, Northampton Health Authority, Highfield, Cliftonville Road, Northampton NNI 5DN. We feel that this is a video for the 1990s. SHEILA JOHNSTON MCSP NORA THRUSH MCSP Northampton
Service Costing MADAM - As the Oxford Regional Steering Group on the Costing of Physiotherapy Services we are looking at methods of costing that are presently being proposed or developed. Any information that could be forwarded to us on this topic or on groups similarly involved would be much appreciated. JACK1 GRlFFlTH MCSP OR Steering Group Physiotherapy Department Horton General Hospital Banbury Oxon OX16 9AL
Surgery and Physiotherapy MADAM - I am planning to carry out research into the practice of physiotherapy on general surgical wards as part of the BSc(Hons) degree, Professional Studies in Health Care, at Teesside Polytechnic. If any readers have a particular interest in this field or have carried out any research into this, or a related field I would be grateful if they could contact me at the address below. DIANA PEAREY MCSP Physiotherapy Department Middlesbrough General Hospital Ayresome Green Lane Middlesbrough CIeve1and TS5 5AZ only a degree would do. They even quoted a paragraph in the regulations stating this categorically. Why then had they kept me hanging on for half a year, when the reply was a foregone conclusion? The secretary let slip that they were afraid of 'setting a precedent'. If they had told me this in the first place I would not have felt so outraged. Presumably, they would not have had the gall to demand such a fee for this information ( $ 150). I am not going to use this platform to say what I think of their behaviour. The facts speak for themselves. They are crying out for physiotherapists in Canada and especially in Alberta. Only the bureaucrats stand in everybody's way. I hope this letter serves as a warning to those who may wish to work there. JON PEARSON BA MCSP Bristol Patricia Allchurch, CSP lnternational affairs adviser, comments: Many British physiotherapists have reported similar frustration. As stated in the December 1990 Journal (page 7681, at present Canadian regulations vary from province to province. From 1993 it is proposed that a// physiotherapists wishing to practise in Canada, whether educated in Canada or abroad, will have to pass a national examination in order t o obtain a licence.
Korner Killed at Christmas MADAM - We would like to ask members what would be the best Christmas present their physiotherapy department could ever wish for? Ours for 1990 was the scrapping of our Korner data collection system. We now enjoy: 0 No more Psions going into 'trap'. 0 No more 30-page code lists to fight with. 0 No more error reports on patients treated three months previously. 0 No more clinical time spent on Comcare form completion - this amounted to at least 30 minutes per day over and above our normal record keeping and clerical duties. The problem is now, where do we go from here? Data must be collected but there seem to be great discrepancies between the data collected in physiotherapy departments across the nation. What is the best information system to use? What additional information would be most beneficial for physiotherapists to collect with a view to contracts and clinical audit? Can readers help? PHYSIOTHERAPY STAFF General Hospitals Unit Barnet Health Authority
Sound Effects MADAM - I am currently undertaking a research project looking at the role of verbal encouragement and distraction on a muscular endurance task. At present the only research literature I have relating to these issues comes from psychology and sports psychology sources. As it is a broad area, I was wondering if anyone who has information or has undertaken any studies in this field could contact me. For instance, does anyone know if the use of verbal encouragement with respiratory function tests has been studied? If anyone has information I would be extremely grateful to hear from them at the address below. MAGGIE BICKERS BSc MCSP DipTP School of Physiotherapy Shepherds House Guy's Hospital St Thomas Street London SEI 9RT
Writers Wanted ?he Editorial Board overseeing the Society's book publishing activities is always looking for budding or experienced writers and editors. If you feel you would like and are able to write a book yourself, co-write one with another author, or edit a book written by several contributors, why not put your name forward? Write to Stuarr Skyte, director of public relations at the Society, setting out your experience and areas of expertise and interest. If you feel there is a particular book the health care market is crying out for and to which you could contribute, please don't hesitate to come forward now.
Physiotherapy, March 1991, vol77, no 3