All news

Physiotherapy Students Share their DCTP Experiences

November 21, 2017

Physiotherapy students and academics during an interactive session on the Westville campus

Fourth-year students from the Discipline of Physiotherapy shared their Decentralised Clinical Training Programme (DCTP) experiences with third year colleagues in the School of Health Sciences (SHS) during an interactive session on the Westville campus.

The DCTP Sharing session, supported by Physiotherapy academics and attended by students and academics from the SHS, allowed students to ask questions related to DCTP and openly discuss their anxieties, excitement, challenges and successes with regard to the programme.

Said fourth year student Ms Nerissa Vangan: ‘My 10-week clinical training at Ngwelezane and Madadeni hospitals taught me independence and provided me with an opportunity to meet and interact with different individuals working in the clinical sites. It also allowed me an opportunity to experience first-hand challenges patients encounter when seeking healthcare.’

Colleague Ms Prisanthi Chetty, who was stationed at Madadeni and G.J Crookes hospitals for her clinical training, says the group she was with became like family. ‘I learned that as clinical practitioners, we need each other. You may be a dental therapist, optometrist or physiotherapist, but at end of the day at the clinical sites we drew strength and learned from each other.’

DCTP Manager in the College of Heath Sciences, Mr Siphiwe Mathonsi, explained how essential requirements, such as wi-fi, transport, computer labs, printing facilities, accommodation and other necessary facilities had been prepared in all DCTP clinical sites to ensure an enabling, conducive and progressive learning environment for students.

Dr Verushau Chetty, Academic Leader of Teaching and Learning in the Department of Physiotherapy, applauded Physiotherapy students for embracing the introduction of DCT and becoming true trailblazers in the School.

‘I am proud to be part of framing their growth and facilitating their clinical training,’ she said.

Words: Lihle Sosibo

Lihlithemba Sisanda Sosibo

lihle