How International Medical Aid Supports Aspiring Physical Therapists
Physical therapists are a lifeline for injured individuals or those suffering from chronic pain. Their main job is to help patients manage stiffness or discomfort to improve how their body physically moves.
Now, aspiring physical therapists may wonder: Is there any support to help me get to the career heights I'm hoping to ascend? The answer is a resounding "Yes". The International Medical Aid (IMA) has been at this for years and is ready to help take your career to the next level. Curious as to how this will actually happen? Read this blog for deeper insights.
Physiotherapy Internships
Your medical career won't be complete without physical therapy internships. What you get from these internships is a hands-on experience in dealing with patients. You get to help in assessing them and also develop treatment plans. There's also exposure to different settings, be it outpatient clinics, schools, or nursing homes.
This wide pool to choose from can guarantee varied experiences that can significantly increase the odds of success in medical school, as well as put you on a path to discover where you fit best. Also, they offer internships in different countries. So, if you're looking to complete an internship in South America, one can go to Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru. If you'd love to do it in Africa, there's Kenya and Tanzania. If you'd like the Caribbean region, there's Haiti!
The knowledge you gather here can also help shape your career in ways that other medical school students might never get to experience. This makes you unique, a trait that can open doors not only in your further studies but also in your career path.
That is why IMA and other similar organizations make it a point to streamline the experience. These experts can help tailor the whole experience to your goals and interests.
Access to a Vast Professional Network
Studies show that about 90% of employees with a career mentor are happy with their progress at the workplace. Unfortunately, only about 40% of workers report having someone to look up to. Aspiring physical therapists need all the network they can get. Luckily, the IMA has a wide network of professionals that you can tap into and get the much-valued insights to take your career to the next level.
First, you can consult with their experienced staff, who have guided numerous pre-medical interns throughout their professional journeys. They can offer comprehensive support, including guidance on international internship etiquette and medical terminology. Also, you get to work alongside top therapists with vast experience in conditions like neurological injuries, musculoskeletal disorders, etc. These experts can teach you a lot about medical processes and best practices, knowledge that will serve you for the rest of your career.
But it doesn't end there. The IMA also has an admissions support program. Part of the package includes help with application processes and also guidance in choosing the best physical therapy program to fit your career goals.
Cultural Immersion Programs
The United States has one of the best healthcare systems in the world. You get access to cutting-edge healthcare technology and resources that can give you an edge in your physical therapy career. However, the reality of healthcare access differs in lower-middle-income economies, such as Tanzania and Kenya. These nations face significant challenges in providing quality and equitable healthcare services. That said, taking your expertise to such regions may allow you to make a world of difference. But before you do, you've got to prepare for the cultural adjustment.
One of them is language. Effective communication is crucial in building rapport with patients, collaborating with local healthcare professionals, and navigating daily life. As such, learning the local language is often a core component of these programs, as this enables participants to bridge communication gaps and foster meaningful connections.
Then there's also the cultural aspect. Africa is, for the most part, more conservative than the Western countries and may have different views on matters like religion and even practices like traditional medicine. There's also food. While you may find some occasional taste of home, these regions tend to have their very own cuisine that you may come to love.
Adapting from the life you're used to and immersing yourself in this completely new pool will not be easy. That's why the IMA's cultural immersion program can go a long way. These experts can provide you with resources to help prepare for your journey and even more when you're there. From tour guides to adventure programs, hiking and cultural tours, you get to experience your country in deeper and more intimate ways. This creates friendship and also a sense of understanding that can make your internship an even more worthwhile experience.
Job Shadowing Programs
Are you a student or a healthcare practitioner looking to learn a bit more about physical therapy? IMA offers shadowing programs to make this possible. This is in line with their mission to take healthcare to regions where it's needed most, hence their presence in South America, Africa, and the Caribbean.
During this practical experience, you will have the chance to observe doctors going about their daily practices, performing diagnosis and medical procedures, asking patients medical questions, taking notes and so on.
Here's a look at the many benefits of shadowing:
You get to understand the profession better as you see the doctors in their element.
You get to build relationships with experts in the field who can serve as your mentors, contacts, or even friends who can help take your career to new heights.
You can gain valuable insights that will help guide you towards successfully becoming a physical therapist.
You can get a strong letter of recommendation from a physician you've worked with. However, note that this requires demonstrating initiative through active listening and asking questions when it's appropriate.
Medical school admissions committee love seeing such initiative in your application. That said, shadowing can increase the odds of you getting into a medical school of choice and advancing your career.
Comprehensive Logistical Support
Moving from one town to the next can be a stressful experience. Now imagine what it is like to move from one country to another. The International Medical Aid makes sure you don't have to worry about that.
If you choose to complete a physical therapy internship under their guidance, they will handle the logistics for you. You can expect placement in modern housing facilities located within secure communities. Transportation to and from the hospitals and clinics is also included.
Your meals will also be provided, prepared by an in-house chef. You also get access to 24/7 security and wi-fi access, along with an open line to in-country support teams to assist you with any questions and concerns you have. Every now and again, you can expect a check-in to cater to your state of affairs and ensure you're at your most optimal and are satisfied with your placement.
Apart from all this, there's also a travel medical insurance aspect. The IMA offers comprehensive medical insurance worth USD$1 million that caters for everything, including emergency medical expenses and evacuation if needed.
A word of advice: You're responsible for your own personal spending, which may include personal items. So, to have a ballpark of how much you may need, you can reach out to IMA to get more information on the location to help with your planning.
All this logistical support is in place for one reason: to help you focus on your clinical experience without being too bothered about unforeseen issues.
24/7 Support
As an intern, you can expect a whole host of challenges. There could be high-pressure situations, long working hours that may leave you feeling burnt out, dealing with complex hospital systems, all while needing to learn and develop your clinical skills.
As you'd expect, this situation can be particularly overwhelming and even isolating. As data from 2021 shows, three in five physicians exhibited symptoms of burnout. If you're in this situation (and you probably will experience some of it), the IMA offers a shoulder to lean on.
One thing it guarantees is a 24-hour support network. You can reach out any time, and you'll find someone to talk to. This ensures that you feel supported, assisted, and the most comfortable you can be during your internship.
Final Thoughts
If you are an aspiring physical therapist, you know that the medical field is one competitive space. And to cut a niche for yourself, you've got to be proactive and willing to go the extra mile. The International Medical Aid can offer guidance to help you think about what that extra mile would be. And when you make your choice, they also have resources to ensure you don't end up stranded in this next step.
If you feel like their services are in line with what you need in your career, get in touch and discuss the next steps for you. This decision can indeed help take your career to a whole new level.
