As I write this, we've just completed the second of three main CPN events that were planned for the WCPT congress here in Cape Town. On Sunday morning, eight of the nine CPN members met up for a strategic planning meeting, where we talked about how the CPN might develop in the coming years. More on this after the CPN Salon on Wednesday. The second event was the Focused Symposium at the congress itself. To recap, the WCPT only awards a limited number of Focused Symposia at each congress, and so we were very fortunate that our application to hold a symposium on critical thinking was accepted. I chaired the session and Mershen Pillay, Viviana Silva, Jenny Setchell and Barbara … [Read more...] about CPN at WCPT – update
The greatest show on (physiotherapy) earth
Only two weeks to go now until the greatest show on (physiotherapy) earth gets under way. WCPT Cape Town will be a smorgasbord of ideas, people, meetings, presentations, and inspiration, and the Critical Physiotherapy Network will be there in force. If you're attending the Congress and would like to find out more about the Network, you can pop into our Focused Symposium, which will be in Ballroom East on Monday 3rd July from 10:45-12:15pm. There, Barbara Gibson, Jenny Setchell, Viviana Silva, Mershen Pillay and I will be presenting some ideas about critical thinking in physiotherapy and discussing how physiotherapy might move forward from here. But the biggest CPN-specific event … [Read more...] about The greatest show on (physiotherapy) earth
History of physical therapy networking session at WCPT – ideas and translators needed
There will be a breakfast networking session for people interested in the history of physical therapy at the WCPT Congress in Cape Town, South Africa on Monday 3rd July from 7 - 8:15am. I'll be chairing the session, and the congress organisers are looking for 4 discussion points that they can use to advertise the session. I'd be really interested in people's thoughts about these possible topics, and any suggestions for alternatives: The history of causing and relieving pain The gendered history of physical therapy What our history can tell us about our present and future practice Researching the history of the profession The congress organisers are also looking to … [Read more...] about History of physical therapy networking session at WCPT – ideas and translators needed
Another busy year for the CPN Exec
Last week we had our 11th CPN Exec meeting of the year, the second with our newest member Wenche Bjorbækmo who, with her colleagues Tobba Sudmann and Tone Dahl Michelsen, will bring a stronger connection to our many Scandinavian members. The Exec now has nine members, in alphabetical order they are: Wenche Bjorbækmo (Norway) Barbara Gibson (Canada) Viviana Silva Guerrero (Australia/Colombia) Simon Kirkegaard (Australia/Denmark) Dave Nicholls (New Zealand) Gywn Owen (UK) Michael Rowe (South Africa) Jenny Setchell (Australia/Canada) Nicky Wilson (UK) For some months now we've been preparing for next year's WCPT congress in Cape Town, in expectation that it will … [Read more...] about Another busy year for the CPN Exec
The End of Physiotherapy is nigh
Apologies for the shameless self-publicity, but I'm truly delighted to reveal that the book I have been working on for the last two years went off to Routledge for copy editing this morning, with a publication date set for just before WCPT in June next year. Notwithstanding its apocalyptic title, The End of Physiotherapy is actually a book about the future for the profession, and asks how physiotherapy developed the way it did, and how we are going to need to respond to the challenges facing us in the years to come. The book analyses the purpose (or end) of physiotherapy, but also predicts that physiotherapy will not survive (the other meaning of 'end'), unless it understands its … [Read more...] about The End of Physiotherapy is nigh
Onwards and upwards
Last week's blogpost by Tracy Bury from WCPT brought to an end another hectic 30 Days of September campaign. It's the third such campaign we've run since the Network began in 2014, and they're a lot of fun, but also a lot of hard work. So thank you to all of the members, new and old, who contributed to last month's campaign. We decided this year to focus on ideas that motivated us to be critical-thinking physiotherapists, and hopefully many of you will have been inspired by what you read. One member wrote to me a few days ago to say, "I’m loving 30days. My reading list for the next 12 months is set." We hope you all had something like that kind of reaction. The 30DoS campaign … [Read more...] about Onwards and upwards
Births, deaths and marriages
There was a time, not so long ago, when physiotherapy journals included all sorts of ephemera; parliamentary reports, branch proceedings, and notices about the latest pay rise. But by far the best bit of the journal came in the Personal section and notices about births, deaths and marriages. Here's an example from the Physiotherapy Journal of June 1962: DAWSON.--On March 26, at Copton Ash Farm, Sheepy Magna, Atherstone, to Jean(nee Tudor, traing The Middlesex Hospital) and Peter Dawson, a daughter (Anna Rosemary), a sister for James and Richard. Anna Rosemary of Sheepy Magna. I kid ye not. Well lest we be accused of taking our task too seriously, I'd like to end another busy week … [Read more...] about Births, deaths and marriages