Every year, International women’s day is observed on March 8. It highlights the contributions made by women to society in a variety of sectors. It serves as a rallying point for a society that values diversity, equity, and inclusion while eliminating prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination.
Embrace equity has been chosen as the theme for International women’s day this year. It emphasizes the fact that “Equity isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have.”
Understanding the distinction between equity and equality is also crucial. The International Women’s Day 2023 #Embrace Equity campaign theme is to spread awareness about why equal opportunities are insufficient, as equity takes into account each person’s unique circumstances and distributes resources to produce an equal result.
On the occasion of International Women’s day, Dr. Dimple Modi (P.T), Vice President, of the Women’s Wing, Global Association for Physiotherapy, founder of Swasth Health, Physiotherapy, and ergonomics, was interviewed to share her experience and thoughts on Physiotherapy. This interview will certainly motivate aspiring physiotherapists to enhance their patient care.
Everyone has a set of motives for pursuing a career. For Dr. Dimple Modi (PT) it was her inclination toward healthcare and physical fitness. She felt that physical activities and appropriate workplace adjustments may help people overcome discomfort without the use of painkillers from a young age. Physiotherapy helps one to become independent and manage their pain through exercises, suitable workplace modifications, and lifestyle modifications.
As they say, there is always light. If only we were brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it. She believes that a Physiotherapist must have positivity and enthusiasm in dealing with everyday events. One of the most crucial characteristics of a physiotherapist is a thorough understanding of the disease being treated. She emphasizes the importance of precise assessment and diagnosis to deliver good patient treatment. That is what motivates her to begin each day with a cheerful attitude.
Nonetheless, certain issues may arise during patient treatment. According to Dr. Dimple Modi (PT), “The first step is to comprehend a patient’s psychology. Patient education consumes a significant amount of time. Before the therapy begins, they must understand how physiotherapy works and what to expect “. She believes that an effective treatment protocol can be planned based on the patient’s short-term and long-term goals. One can effectively plan a protocol by taking into consideration the duration of the condition and the requirements of the patient. Patient education, advising do’s and don’t regarding a condition followed by an accurate assessment daily are cornerstones to obtaining effective and satisfactory results. She makes sure to stay updated with current and new advances in Physiotherapy and follows the evidence-based practice in her patient care. To keep herself updated with the latest advances in physiotherapy she refers to journals and is a part of the various physio communities.
In response to the question, “What do you believe should be improved in terms of patient care in Physiotherapy?” she highlighted the interdisciplinary approach used by various members of the rehabilitation team. She thinks that the key to a successful outcome is a collaborative effort among various healthcare providers.
She responded, “As a woman physio, I encounter a lot of hurdles every day when asked if there were any challenges she faced. I rise to the challenges that are presented to me. To run a clinic and care for the family at the same time, one needs to be skilled at multitasking. You must be both mentally and physically fit to practice physiotherapy. This occasionally presents difficulties. Having said that, I think that starting the day with an optimistic attitude is important. Giving patients and physical therapists who believe in physical therapy justice is essential. I want people to realize how effective physical therapy is. That’s why I prepare myself, relax when necessary, and get back to work. Ultimately, physiotherapy encourages us to lead a healthy and active life”.
Last but not least, when asked for advice for aspiring physios who wish to work in physiotherapy, she responded, “Believe in yourself until you succeed. Do not worry that you will not be able to manage patients efficiently. Focus on improving your precision, accuracy, assessment, and diagnosis. A physiotherapist values independence and movement. If a surgeon or doctor saves a life, a physiotherapist improves the quality of that life”.
I hope this interview serves as motivation for aspiring physiotherapists to be the best they can be.
