A group of students from Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh, have set the standard for an annual student physiotherapy conference to be held in Scotland. Final year physiotherapy students, Katie McGregor, Florence Cook, Jason Chang and Andrea Christoforou staged Scotland’s first Student Physiotherapy Conference at QMU on 25^th October.  The event attracted over two hundred physiotherapy students, practicing clinicians, educators and academics, as well as health and social care professionals from across Scotland and the rest of the UK. The success of the conference has already secured the second event of its kind in Scotland to be held at Robert Gordon University (RGU) in 2015.

Organised for students by students, last weekend’s event brought together those interested in enhancing knowledge, encouraging collaboration and inspiring innovation in the world of physiotherapy. The event also provided an excellent networking opportunity and supportive environment for students and newly-qualified physiotherapist to present their work. Highlights of the day included a keynote speech by Dr Elizabeth Dean, professor of physical therapy at the University of British Columbia, Canada, and a talk by Scottish racing cyclist, James McCallum.

Commenting on the success of the conference, final year physiotherapy student, Florence Cook, said: “We’re overwhelmed by the positive response to the conference from students, lecturers, physiotherapists and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. “We wanted to create an opportunity to reflect on where the physiotherapy profession has come from and how it can get even better.  We’re confident that our event was able to deliver this goal and will act as a lasting legacy for other physiotherapy students around Scotland and the rest of the UK.  The baton has now been passed to RGU, who we’re sure will do a fantastic job of running the conference next year.

“We’re really grateful to all our sponsors, including the QMU Student Development Fund, which was the first financial support we received.  It not only helped to fund the conference and make it a huge success, it also gave us confidence that our event was worth the investment.” Delegates benefited from eight diverse workshops covering everything from cognitive behavioural therapy, elite sporting performance, specialist sports consulting, starting a physiotherapy-related business, soft tissue release techniques and paediatric communication tools and resources.

Research project presentations from students, recent graduates and newly-qualified physiotherapists were on offer, as well as an exhibition promoting resources and skills for students and clinicians, including Edinburgh Leisure, Pal Technologies Ltd, Proactive Training, Alzheimer Scotland and Riding for the Disabled. health and well-being programme – ‘Living It Up’.

(L-R): Andrea Christoforou (QMU phisiotherapy student), Katie McGregor (QMU phisiotherapy student), James McCallum (Scottish racing cyclist), Florence Cook (QMU phisiotherapy student) and Jason Chang (QMU phisiotherapy student). David Aveyard Photography http://www.davidaveyard.co.uk/Event-photography