Student conference - learner physios get career-boosting day

Learners can benefit from an extra day this autumn focusing on their careers at the CSP annual conference, which runs from 10-12 October.

The conference, aimed at helping physiotherapy professionals across all parts of the workforce at all stages of their career, presents research and presentations focusing on this year’s theme, ‘Rehabilitation transforms population health’. The free day of learner-focused content will take place on 10 October.

Meredith Newman, CSP programme lead for the conference, said: ‘We consulted learners and using their input, we have created an exciting programme. We will be focusing on effective communication, building leadership skills, the future of physiotherapy rehabilitation, and the latest innovations in healthcare technology.

‘Learners attending in person and online will be able to learn, ask questions from speakers who are leaders in their fields, and take part in discussion and networking sessions. Our conference is always an excellent place to kickstart your professional career, and all attendees will gain something from it,’ Meredith said. 

‘Learners can also make connections and find out about CSP networks to support their studies. They can also showcase their dissertation or final year project by submitting an abstract or consideration for a poster or oral presentation. Learners who did this last year told us how valuable they found their experience.’

A conference overview

Conference keynote speaker Professor Lisa Roberts will highlight the importance of effective communication. 

As she opens the programme with her speech: ‘Talk isn’t cheap – it’s priceless’ she will discuss optimising communication skills to help patients achieve the best outcomes and experiences.  

In her talk, Lisa, who is clinical professor of Musculoskeletal Health at the University of Southampton, will look at how making meaningful connections, shared decision-making, self-management support and communication are all key elements in delivering patient-centred care. Lisa will also discuss optimising communication skills to help patients achieve the best outcomes and experiences possible.

The session ‘Towards 2030: the physio technologist – innovation and informatics’ will introduce three innovative members of the profession and the technology they are using to transform physiotherapy. Brooke Nairn (left), chartered physiotherapist, research assistant and PhD candidate at University College London, will speak about the use of augmented reality (AR) in the rehabilitation of balance disorders. 

Claudia Lindner, senior research Fellow, and Henry Dale Fellow in translational medical imaging at the University of Manchester, will speak on using artificial-intelligence (AI) and medical imaging. Rachel Young, a physio and researcher at Sheffield Hallam University who specialises in neurorehabilitation and rehabilitation technologies, will speak on wearable technology. 

Digital technology and leadership journeys

Conference speaker Brooke Nairn will speak in a digital technology session looking at how healthcare technology is an increasing part of patient care. One of these will be the telerehabilitation decision support system (TeleRehab DSS). This is an AI-supported system that uses AR to promote remote balance and cognitive rehabilitation. This system is being validated for use in clinical practice, to be used in the healthcare system.

Ishmael Beckford, the chair of CSP Council, will speak about leadership journeys and will challenge attendees on how they can contribute to the profession as leaders earlier in their careers than they might think. Ish will draw on his own career journey as well, to highlight that leadership journeys are individual and varied. 

Other speakers will include Lewis Wright (above left), a learner at the University of Nottingham and Kim Anteh, a band 5 physio at Homerton University Hospitals Trust, about leadership placements and how skills gained transfer into working practice.

Speakers Millie Marsh, a learner, and Laura Lidster (bottom, left), a lecturer from the University of Hull with Rob Minter, vice-chair of the associates’ network, will examine the valuable contributions support workers can make on placement and in practice. Meredith Newman adds: ‘The conference team wants to make it easier for learners to attend, so as well as providing free conference tickets, with the support of the CSP charitable trust, we run the widening participation award. This can support the costs of travel and accommodation for CSP learner members. 

‘It’s vital to us to provide this assistance so that all our members’ talent is recognised, and we can benefit from their knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm at the conference. We particularly welcome applications from presenters, members who are new to conference, and from minoritised groups.’ For more info: www.csp.org.uk/news-events/csp-annual-conference