r/physiotherapy

I don't get it.

The UK has far less registered physios per capita (1 per 1100) than e.g. the Netherlands (1 per 550), Germany (1 per 430), France (1 per 650) or Switzerland (1 per 600). Physios in these countries make a decent living.

Switzerland is very much in need of more physios and has accepted more foreign physios than ever the last few years. Germany has more than enough jobs, so has France.

So what went wrong in the UK?

I pour my soul into applications and really take my time (like all day applying), I show why I meet the spec, I check my application with people to make sure it reads well, I say what makes me stand out. When I get rejected, I ask for advice, apparently my application is great but there was 'just so many applicants'.

How do I get out of this application hell? Seriously getting depressed about all the soul, care, time, commitment to extra CPD and

Nothing. I'm struggling with the endless applying and waiting for someone to see potential in me. I tried for lower band/different jobs but I think I must be 'overqualified'.

What am I not doing? Any advice? :'(

(Grades and experience amazing, really trying everything here but zero luck)

I get paid hourly. My clinic is doing some community outreach and asking us to be present at different events in town. I thought it was cute when we helped out a marathon one time on a Sunday. I've run marathons and I was actually excited to help out and talk to runners who could be potential clients.
Well now all of a sudden we will be doing outreach on weekdays at more local sporting games. Once a month my evening shift is ended early (4pm instead of 7pm) and I'm being asked to go volunteer at a table or tent for 4 hours unpaid to "meet the community". Marketing is not in my contract.
I'm annoyed that my hours are cut, wage losses are occurring and free work is expected. I have a family to support. The worst part is there are 2 new grads working for us, both are in their early 20s with no responsibilities and no family and nothing else going on outside work and both always say yes. When I brought up disappointment at loss of wages I was told I am not being a team player.

My question is - I know this field is over saturated and outpatient orthopedic PT in Canada generally sucks as a business model and it's hard to bring in clients. However, is this what happens at other clinics? does your clinic ask staff to work unpaid in the guise of "marketing"?

Im planning to pursue my masters in physiotherapy in the UK.
But now im confused between choosing msc physiotherapy and msc sports medicine.
Does choosing sports give me any advantage of working in sport sectors in the uk? And even if i wish to work in a hospital,will i be able to work with my sports medicine qualification? What does the NHS prefer? Im really confused..

I posted asking for advice on where I am going wrong in applying in the UK, and the consensus seems to be essentially 'you're not by the sound of it, it's just the UK job market is bad, consider moving'.

And honestly, I'm happy to move if I would feel more valued/needed in the market elsewhere.

Question 1:

So physios of Canada, Australia, New Zealand - please kindly advise me - what are my realistic prospects as a new UK grad with absolutely no experience working (asides from student placements) in your country?

And

Question 2:

And if anyone has moved as a UK new grad - what is your personal experience where you moved (general for the country you moved) - work opportunities (opportunity for career growth/development), cost of living and disposable income, ease to actually get the first job, work-life balance.

(I am researching, but personal experiences can be so helpful Vs simply numbers and data!)

Any advice would be gratefully appreciated! ☺️

I (m32) am considering a career change as I've worked a number of different jobs to date and feel something "secure" and with job satisfaction is the way to go.

I was intially excired at the prospect and the opportunity to go back as a mature student for a 2-year MSc (Pre-Reg) but a lot of what I've seen is people saying it's impossible to get a band-5 role at graduation and competition in the private sector means not much room for progressing there either.

Is it really not a profession to go into if you're hoping for progression and opportunity? Of course, salary is important too but it doesn't sound promising out there