Published: 3rd December, 2024
Highlights included talks like 'Future Clinicians: who we’ll need to be, and what we’ll need to get there' (Jo Turner) and 'Health inequalities and the future: what should physiotherapy look like in 2066?' (Ash James, Professor Sally Singh, and Matthew Carr). Matt Carr shared his work across multiple roles, using purposeful data to improve MSK health provision in Sussex. Professor Jonathan Hill emphasised how quality data drives meaningful change.
While exhibitors showcasing tools for assessing and treating symptoms attracted crowds, lectures on system change and healthcare inequality seemed less well attended. This disparity echoed a concern I first felt at the 2023 BSLM conference: though the event championed exercise, strengthening, and patient-centered care, no physiotherapists presented. It was disheartening, given the impact and dedication of physios incredible I’ve worked with. Are we ensuring our role evolves alongside the growing focus on community-based, collaborative healthcare?
Sustained lifestyle changes are key to MSK health and disease prevention. The six pillars of lifestyle medicine—mental wellbeing, minimising harmful substances, healthy relationships, eating well, sleep, and physical activity—highlight the need for physios to integrate our expertise with wider healthcare systems. This doesn’t mean becoming generalists but adapting our specialisms to collaborate more effectively.
The carbon footprint of healthcare is enormous, yet its link to ill health often takes a backseat to cost concerns. Quality physiotherapy inherently supports sustainability by preventing chronic conditions, reducing admissions, and promoting de-prescribing. However, as a profession, we don’t seem to champion this enough. I’m encouraged to be involved with the creation of the new CSP Sustainability Network under Sue Hayward-Giles, but many sectors are far ahead in addressing these challenges.
I share this reflection to foster connections. For example, check out Dr Linda Mizun, an A&E doctor addressing loneliness and upstream causes of chronic disease and exemplifies compassionate, proactive healthcare (see Hero of Health). Her work inspires action and collaboration to create healthier lives for all.