Physiotherapy, and biomedicine generally, owes a lot to René Descartes (for a refresher on an earlier post on the critical issue of Cartesian Dualism in PT, go here). But Descartes’ influence extends much further than just the body-as-machine, and has fundamentally shaped medicine and physiotherapy practice ethics for more than 100 years. 400 years ago, Descartes set out to discover what could be known beyond doubt. His method was to doubt everything, from the existence of physical objects around him, to dreams and ideas. What was left, he surmised, would be the basis upon which all knowledge could be built. The first thing Descartes believed he could trust was that he himself was … [Read more...] about Critique of the biomedical model #3 (or what it really means to be a person)
I and You
“Without this mind-set, which Buber called “I-It,” there would be no science, economics, or politics. But, the more we engage in such thinking, the farther we drift from “I-You,” his term for addressing other people directly as partners in dialogue and relationship. Only when we say “You” to the world do we perceive its miraculous strangeness and, at the same time, its potential for intimacy. Indeed, it’s not only human beings who deserve to be called “You.” As Buber wrote, even a cat or a piece of mica can summon up in us the feeling of a genuine encounter with another: “When something does emerge from among things, something living, and becomes a being for me . . . it is for me nothing but … [Read more...] about I and You
Other ways of looking at others
One of the biggest perks of my job - and there are many - is the opportunity to work with physiotherapists who are looking for new ways to think about their profession. These are some of the people who are offering insights into how physiotherapy might develop in the future, and one theme of some of this work that's emerged in recent years has been around the ethical care of others. What's most interesting for me about this work is how it's inverting the way we've traditionally thought about others, placing the ethics of care before our knowledge of them and their world. Ethics preceding ontology if you will. Here are three examples. Since the start of the year I've been … [Read more...] about Other ways of looking at others
Decolonizing health professional education
A new paper from Mershen Pillay (CPN member) and Harsha Kathard titled Decolonizing health professional education has just been published by the African Journal of Rhetoric. The paper explores how higher education practice is failing the majority population in South Africa, and offers some critical insights into the nature of 'othering' that is prevalent in many health education programmes around the world. Abstract We argue that there is an urgent need to transform how we educate health professionals in South Africa. We focus on Audiology and Speech-Language Therapy, which are health professions that manage people with communication disorders and swallowing difficulties. Our … [Read more...] about Decolonizing health professional education
Connectivity – Contributions from the Network #6 – Gail Teachman
Thanks to everyone who sent me comments and thoughts on the Connectivity writing project. Over the next few days I'll post up some of the feedback and thoughts that these pieces. Remember to send comments on these things too and I'll pull them all together. This post came from Gail Teachman - Lecturer with the Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto and PhD candidate in the Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Science at University of Toronto, working with Barbara Gibson. Gail Teachman Thinking about 'connectivity' offers an immediate shift in perspective - away from the notion that disabled people are 'other'. Rehabilitation, amidst … [Read more...] about Connectivity – Contributions from the Network #6 – Gail Teachman
Connectivity – Contributions from the Network #3 – Andreas Bjerregaard
Today's post comes from Andreas Bjerregaard who is a physiotherapist and personal trainer in Copenhagen. As well as running his own clinic and being a FIFA 11+ instructor, Andreas volunteers his physio skills for the Homeless World Cup. Andreas blogs about his work here. I work on how people can change the lives of homeless people through football. Right now the tournament (www.homelessworldcup.org) is being hosted in Santiago, Chile. I am part of a physiotherapy team from Denmark and Norway who are treating players from all over the world. On busy day we would have 150-200 treatments with all kinds of injuries: dislocated fingers and shoulders, broken bones, major acute ligaments … [Read more...] about Connectivity – Contributions from the Network #3 – Andreas Bjerregaard
Connectivity – Contributions from the Network #2 – Jenny Ralls
Today's post came from Jenny Ralls, Clinical Specialist working with RehabWorks in Bury St. Edmunds, UK. Enjoying learning about this idea which I have never conceptualised before. Presumably when extrapolated we all become 'disabled' in some way? For example, colleagues without the confidence to Tweet or 'Link-in / Facebook' become network disabled. Living in a very rural community, reliance on my car or bicycle to reach local amenities makes me geographically disabled. Ignorance or apathy regarding casting a vote makes one politically disabled. Or rather, not disabled, but just with a different view and perspective on life and its demands. Which brings me back to connectivity being a … [Read more...] about Connectivity – Contributions from the Network #2 – Jenny Ralls