Winter 2015 Alumni Profile

By: Jocelyn Adams, Communications and Special Projects Assistant

Each season, the Physiotherapy Matters eNews features the professional work, knowledge and expertise of School of Physiotherapy alumni. This month, the School is delighted to feature  Nova Scotia native (but Islander by choice) and physiotherapy alumnus from the class of 1987, Trish Helm-Neima. Trish is a practicing physiotherapist with the Provincial Ambulatory Stroke Rehabilitation Clinic (PASRC). In addition, she is also a volunteer with the Joyriders Therapeutic Riding Association and President of the PEI Branch of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association.

The path towards a career in physiotherapy began at a young age. Trish sparked an interest in physiotherapy after she volunteered her horse for a therapeutic riding program. “Most of the participants were children and young adults with multiple disabilities.  I had the opportunity to watch physiotherapists work with participants and talk to them about their love of the physiotherapy profession,” said Trish.

After completing an undergraduate degree from Dalhousie and studying Marine Biology, she decided to switch career paths. “After completing my degree, I re-examined my options and an assessment through Dalhousie’s counseling services who helped identify physiotherapy as my recommended choice of career. I feel I was positively influenced towards the helping professions by the careers of my parents,” said Trish.

The relationship you create as a therapist with your patient impacts the success of your therapy. “In school, I thought I had to be a specifically skilled, hands-on therapist to my patients. I now know there are many factors that contribute to the recovery and success of my patients. Informing, coaching and enabling significantly impacts the success of your intervention therapy,” said Trish.

Physiotherapy as a profession continues to evolve. Over the course of her career, Trish says the use of research and social media has significantly impacted the scope of the profession. “Research creates a challenge for clinicians to stay up-to-date on the latest research where as the use of social media can inform, educate and connect therapists.”

Today, she works with PASRC, a new program aiming to maximize the impact on the lives of stroke survivors. Since 2011, the program continues to improve access to rehabilitation services to stroke survivors, their families and caregivers. PASRC also provides support for therapists involved with the care of stroke survivors.

In addition to her work at PASRC, other excitement includes the recent addition of a Protokinetics Gait Analysis System in the Physical Medicine Department of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. “The use of an advanced gait analysis system has allowed us to fine tune our approach to gait and balance issues. It also provides excellent visual and numerical feedback to our patients,” said Trish.

Trish’s most memorable story was working with a former figure skater who had survived a stroke at the age of 85.  “He had skated recreationally until the time of his stroke and his goal was to return to the ice. He had mild hemiplegia with moderate dynamic balance issues.  I wasn’t initially convinced he would skate but with a bit of problem solving together and perseverance on his part, he did manage to return to the ice. I will never forget the excited phone call from the rink.”

Looking to the future, she hopes physiotherapists are valued as an integral partner in the health of Canadians and that they can influence policy and practice at all levels of the healthcare system.

Trish offers this advice for new graduates of the Dalhousie physiotherapy program. “The first year will be exhausting and interesting as you begin to integrate your program based knowledge with practice. Keep an open mind to different areas of the profession. Take as many professional development opportunities as you can. Get involved in your professional association – you will make great friends and connections and gain skills that will enable greater success in your career.”