Physiotherapist
Wolverhampton City Primary Care Trust
Deepa B
00:00:00 My name is Deepa B and I work as a senior physiotherapist. Physiotherapy, we are more concerned with the quality of life of the patient. We do a lot of analysis and we do a lot of assessment. It encompasses the physical, psychological, social well being of a person and we have a holistic approach to improve the quality of life.
00:00:23 I did my school in India. I studied in a central Government school and the syllabus is quite a tough syllabus. I did enjoy it, I had good times and bad times. I was quite good in my academics, I won’t say I was the first ranker or the topper. I was good at my academics but I was quite active in other co-curricular activities like speech competitions, singing competitions and then when I was in 11 standard I was stood for the school election and then I became the school pupil leader. So, I used to really participate actively in the school.
00:00:54 I used to go to church and then they used to take us to a lot of hospital visits, elderly home visits and visiting a lot of orphanages, children afflicted with Aids. I used to work with a lot of CP children as well, cerebral palsy children. And that really gave me the satisfaction when I saw the smile on their face. When I saw the smile on the patient’s face and I felt I need to do something. I need to work with them, I need to use my life to do, to make their life better. We just have one life and you need to make the best use of it. There’s no point in just living for myself so I need to work with them. How can I work with them and make their life better?
00:01:29 So, that was the main trigger in me and then I decided to work on it. So, I had to take the right subjects. I had to do science to go into this. So, I selected biology, chemistry and physics and mathematics and I had to get good marks as well, being quite a competitive professional course. I did my under graduation, worked for a year. Then I decided to do my Masters so that I can build up more knowledge and use my skills and my clinical reasoning and then I decided to come and do a course here but unfortunately it didn’t work out the way I wanted it to be.
00:02:03 I decided to go for a job because I was in need of money at that time. Started to apply for jobs, went for about two or three interviews, one in London, one in Southall, one in Southampton. I learnt everything was a learning step for me. I didn’t just get the first one but everything was a learning step. Came to Wolverhampton, got the job, been working here for three years and I’m enjoying every bit of it.
00:02:25 When I came here I did miss my family because I was on my own here. But then I made some friends and this two or three years and to be honest, sometimes I just find time to rest. I finish work, go back home, there’s something else, to meet friends or go out and yes, there is a good balance between my work and my life. Church is a big part of life to me. I think it moves me to be a better person so when I do something for somebody and then I feel I improve their quality of life I just feel happy and I’ve made a change in their life.
00:02:55 So, I think church did play an important role in my life to make so many decisions and changed a lot in my personality as well.
00:03:05 It can be a bit difficult when somebody, when you lose a patient, you see. It does upset me, I do get emotionally a bit upset. Also when patients stay here for three, four months and then they go back. You get so attached to them. When they go I really feel bad. I do miss my patients when they go home. I don’t have any regrets being a physiotherapist because I felt I’ve learnt a lot as a person. It has built me personally, professionally, and I’m enjoying every bit of it. I think I made the right decision so I don’t have any regrets.
00:03:35 ENDS
During her childhood in India, Physiotherapist Deepa B was inspired by visits to orphanages and hospitals where she worked with aids sufferers and people with cerebal palsy. She describes how she settled in to the UK, the role the church plays in supporting her, how her job has built her personally and professionally, and how she has no regrets.
More information about Physiotherapists
The UK average salary is £29,813
There are 37.5 hours in the average working week
The UK workforce is 47% female and 53% male
Future employment
- Examines medical reports and assesses patient to determine the condition of muscles, nerves or joints in need of treatment;
- Writes up patients’ case notes and reports, maintains their records and manages caseload;
- Plans and undertakes therapy to improve circulation, restore joint mobility, strengthen muscles and reduce pain;
- Explains treatment to and instructs patient in posture and other exercises and adapts treatment as necessary;
- Offers advice and education on how to avoid injury and promote patient’s future health and well-being;
- Supervises physiotherapy assistants;
- Monitors patient’s progress and liaises with others concerned with the treatment and rehabilitation of patient, and refers patients requiring other specific medical attention.
