Professional courses - A student perspective Emma Clarke Trinity College Dublin 2nd Annual Disability Service Symposium

University Background 2003 – Dental Science in TCD – Dropped out 2004 – Physiotherapy in TCD – Qualified 2009 – Returned to Dental Science as a Mature Student. Currently – about to commence final year

Transition 2 nd – 3 rd Level Applied via the DARE scheme Supports in place – Note takers, FM system “The First Day” Story Did not see myself as having a Disability Did not want to be singled out or made feel different from rest of the class. Decided the course was too hard – dropped out.

Physiotherapy New course / new start Another health science course Still the challenges of placements & dealing with the public. Lectures – accepted the supports.

Placements Physiotherapy - Completed 1000 hours clinical practice in the four years – over five different sites. First placement – AMNCH – Elective Orthopaedics

Wards – Noise Introducing myself to patients Communication with patients – should I inform patients? Communication with team members – would I slow procedures down? Not wanting to burden senior Use of supports on placement Starting in a new site – repeating the process. Pre Placements- Prep

Dental Science (Take 2!) Learned from previous placements Communication – non issue New skill set required Disclosure – second nature – reciting of medical history New challenges – dental mask, new supervisors, nursing staff Routine in the Dental Hospital

Advice to practice co- ordinators Case by case No recipe approach Ensuring free channel of communication Encourage to disclose when necessary Pre placement advice essential The advantage of staying between the two main sites for core placements Re-checking