'There was a lot of very relevant and promising topics at this year's conference and I am confident that next year's conference will be equally as interesting'.
APCP conference ... when we finally came together! Well, not 'together' as in physically together.
The APCP annual conference took place online as most conferences have since Covid hit us all. However, I think a lot of people would agree with me, that there was a feeling of togetherness during the 3 days. This is obviously thanks to the massive efforts of the organisers and speakers.
I have always felt this way about conferences, regardless of whether they take place face-to-face or online. I think conferences can be a catalyst for change ... creating a spark that encourages us to take the initiative and push to deliver change. To me, this conference was no different in this respect. It was such a pleasure to see the enthusiasm of the speakers who wanted to get their message across to us 'ordinary' physios, but it did not end there. I could see all across the Whova App that 'spark' I am talking about. I was not able to see the Q&As live, but going back to see what people’s thoughts were was possible through the app, and not only that, it was enriching to see that people were eager to ask questions and keen to network. Emails and names were thrown around and this made me feel joyous inside ... making me want to hopefully be part of it somehow in the future.
You know an event has been worth while when, after it has finished, you can't wait to share it with people close to you. In this case, I could not wait to share what I had learnt with my colleagues and to see what we could come up with as a team. Similar to many teams across the UK and the NHS we are in the middle of piloting new things and so hearing from colleagues outside of our own local bubble, about their success and the barriers they have encountered, is so essential to keep us going ... it is so good to know that we are not on our own! I dream of teams talking about how they met so-and-so physio from another team and how they shared views on this-and-that topic. How can we embed networking in our day-to-day work without having to wait for a conference? Or, how can we get other physios inspired to network and come together for projects? Perhaps a topic for next conference: how to keep the ball rolling between us all?
The APCP is forging the way by making this conference so accessible. The fact that the videos were uploaded shortly afterwards, made it easy for so many physios, including physios with parental duties like myself.
Some physio mums have recently told me on Twitter about the huge impact that online training opportunities have had. Having this opportunity has been an enormous win from the pandemic. However, as someone that has experienced the good bits of online conferencing with a toddler in my tiny flat, and also the not so good bits, I worry about what this means for the future. Are parents once again going to be expected to add to their multi-tasking abilities and their work loads ... crossing their fingers for a good outcome? I fear sometimes we contribute to this by not ringfencing the time for ourselves. What will employers' attitudes be? Study leave has always been a battle, what happens now that we can sit at a computer at work and watch a conference, at risk of getting pulled away to see patients? Will that time still be protected?
I am glad to see the that APCP is thinking about this. Throughout conference, delegates were asked to express their opinions about how future conferences should be delivered. This showed care and thought for everyone in the Association and a vision to involve as many of us as is possible. Perhaps it will always be difficult to cater for everyone, but having a blended approach will offer members the option to choose what is best for them. Just a personal thought ... completely biased by the fact that I miss human contact like it used to be, there is no point on denying it!
I have tried to discuss the conference with my husband, but I have not had much luck, as he doesn't know much about healthcare except for the fact that he is married to a physiotherapist! He says to me: "It sounds promising”. He might only say it to encourage me to keep going (as he always does), but I do think there was a lot of very relevant and promising topics at this year's conference and I am confident that next year's conference will be equally as interesting.
Well done APCP!
Lara Garzón - recipient of a conference bursary awarded by the North West Region