Virtual learning the way to go for Physio student

A GCU student has taken part in a UK-wide virtual placement and is keen to inform others about the benefits of online learning.

Fourth year Physiotherapy student Chloe Munro got the opportunity to get involved with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, who are leading a campaign to get organisations thinking differently about practice placements.

Chloe explained the background to her getting involved and what she thought of the whole experience.

She said: “I was supposed to be doing a placement with NHS England in London during June but that got cancelled. The CSP had organised it and had been thinking about doing virtual placements for a while but coronavirus has obviously now accelerated it.

Since I had obviously missed out on this opportunity in London they thought it would be nice for me to get involved with the virtual placement.”

Chloe added: “It was all done through Zoom and we were sent out a timetable with our links. Four of us in total were on this placement. There were two from England, one from Wales and myself from Scotland. I was partnered up with a guy from London and we worked together on two projects.

It was unbelievable. I’m so grateful that I was given that opportunity and it’s shown me an aspect of physiotherapy that I would never have gained through a clinical placement.”

The four students worked on producing new resources that provide a student point-of-view to quality placements; the creation of a new research-focused webpage on the CSP site and contributing a student perspective to an updated version of a placement assessment form.

Chloe also encouraged students to think positively about virtual learning rather than traditional clinical placements.

She said: “I think there are a lot of students who are nervous about online or project based placements because they’ll be worried it won’t give them the same experience.

With the current circumstances, it’s crucial to take every opportunity you can get. I think a lot of people think different is bad but it’s actually good and can be really helpful. I would definitely now say that I’m better prepared for the working world.”

You can find out more about Chloe’s placement on the CSP website

By Ross Clark
Got an SHLS or GSBS story? Email me at Ross.Clark@gcu.ac.uk or message me on Twitter