Physiotherapy apprentices share expertise at Kirklees Council back clinics
Four University of Huddersfield physiotherapy apprentice learners have started a programme that will help workers at Kirklees Council manage their own back health, while also adding to their own skills as physiotherapists.
Mujahid Umar, Ellie Waterhouse, Charlotte Collishaw and Ebony Flood (pictured from left to right above) are all in their third year of Physiotherapy (Degree apprenticeship BSc) and already have a wealth of experience from working in private practice and the NHS.
Their placement with Kirklees Council is part of a long-term PhD research project by Bethan Hebberd, Head of Practice-Based Learning (Allied Healthcare Professionals and Midwifery), and a second five-week stint by four more students will follow in the summer.
Management rather than treatment
Their work is encouraging council workers to identify and manage their own back issues, preventing problems and reducing the impact of employee absence on the council, rather than a more traditional ‘hands-on’ approach following a diagnosis of back pain.
"We are conducting the research project on Bethan's behalf," says Ellie. "It's a back clinic for council workers in Huddersfield and Kirklees who have work-related lower back pain, they can join our service, have a consultation and a follow-up appointment.
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"We are not providing hands-on physiotherapy, it's more getting them to self-identify their lower back problems, that are work-related, and getting them to come up with self-management strategies that they can implement. Whether that's just things like breaks at work, standing up from a desk-based job, adding stretches into a routine or even exercise after work in their own time, there are many types of strategies for them."
The clinic also offers advice to council managers so they can understand their staff’s issues and how to get the best from them.
Positive impact across Kirklees Council
Charlotte adds, “The workshops for managers help them to gain an understanding, educating them about back health so they can then understand the issues their team members have. We’ve seen a wide range of people who work for Kirklees Council, everyone from gardeners to dinner ladies to office workers, it’s been good to see how the scheme has landed with people across the council.
“Research has suggested that if someone is off work for longer than 12 weeks, then it is unlikely they will return to work. The scheme is trying to put things in place with people to prevent low back pain related disability and to keep them in the workplace.”
As well as benefitting Kirklees Council, all four students are learning from the clinics, which they are juggling alongside their day-to-day roles as physiotherapists.
Mujahid adds, "The benefit for me has been that it has opened my eyes into how patients can manage a lot of their own issues, with a little guidance. It's about us giving them that education, and that advice. It is not just talking about physiotherapy, there's a bit of counselling, sometimes they just want to have a quick chat. It's been nice to learn from other students, we're all from very different backgrounds and we have been learning from each other as well.”
Bethan Hebbard praised the progress of the clinics so far, adding, “I have been delighted to have the opportunity to co-design the Back Guide intervention with key stakeholders at the council and university including; council staff, managers, employee healthcare, students and lecturers.
"It has been very encouraging to see how well the apprentice learners have been able to apply the self-management support strategies and promote this evidence informed concept.
“The intervention has so far been well received by over 25 participants. We look forward to the second round in June when we hope to determine if it is a feasible concept for all key stakeholders moving forward.”