Dr. Pandya's Multinational Physiotherapy Leadership Story

Pawel: Dr. Pandya! It’s wonderful to have you here. Can you start by sharing with everyone how we met the first time - it is so funny considering we are both over 20 years old… tell me also what motivated you to enter the field of physical therapy?

Dr. Rina: How did we meet!! On TikTok? I do remember we clicked since the first time we talked. We have the same vision professionally which is a great thing.

Entering PT was an unintentional move because it wasn't this popular and mainstream 25 years ago. In India, it was just upcoming and I was looking for a fun profession and I am still having fun with it.

Pawel: We know you’ve worked across the UK, the USA, India, and the Middle East. How have these diverse experiences shaped your approach to physical therapy? Where do you think physiotherapy is most friendly towards patient needs?

Dr. Rina: Great question. I believe it helped me understand the cultural and medical diversity. It ranges from gratitude to religion to medical beliefs mixed with traditions and superstitions!! So my approach was to blend and understand and then have them understand what I need from them, for them. Massive learning curve all the way.

The most friendly was in Oman. It's a 2-way street. The government takes care of their people and people are so sweet that work doesn't feel like work.

Pawel: What unique challenges and opportunities does each healthcare system present to physical therapists?

Dr. Rina: The UK is robust but tight on resources.

The USA has resources but tight on providing them due to its private insurance-based healthcare.

Oman was a mix but I worked in private and people have the money to afford it.

India is physio on demand. Physios everywhere!!

Pawel: Transitioning from clinical practice to managerial roles can be quite a shift. How did you navigate moving into your role as the head of a Physical Therapy department in Oman? This is a super interesting opportunity. Tell us how that happened in the first place?

Dr. Rina: I worked as Head of the department of Physiotherapy which was both inpatient and outpatient. I was gaining popularity in Oman. I would like to think it was because of my unorthodox approach to my patients. I was approached by the hospital since their current HOD was leaving. I was hesitant because I would be the youngest - I was 36 I guess at the time and it was a very Arab male-dominant environment. But they were all super sweet which made the transition easier.

Pawel: As a woman in a leadership role within healthcare and training, have you encountered any specific challenges or found particular opportunities? We know most of the physiotherapists in the UK are ladies. How do you think that shapes the profession?

Dr. Rina: Interesting. I don't suppose there's much difference anymore with gender. As long as you have supporting family and colleagues any job can be done.

Challenges are plenty, they are important for growth and self-development. Since you asked -- learning different languages, building rapport, and moulding myself to the place and people and then having them accept my ideas is always interesting.

I am on my 13th job in the 4th country, so I guess I go seeking challenges... Haha.

Pawel: Throughout your career, you’ve been passionate about education. Looking at your CV it's all about teaching, is it a natural progression or well-executed plan? What drives this passion, and how do you approach teaching complex concepts in physical therapy?

Dr. Rina: Ah.. This is an executed plan. I always knew I would end up in teaching. I remember having a whiteboard in my clinic where I would draw stuff and teach my patients haha. I feel bad for them now.

I believe it is easy to teach something when you are passionate and enjoy the human body. I recently did post-graduation in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (PGLTHE) and have a Fellowship in Higher Education. This helped me with understanding student psychology better and teaching with technology all while relaying anecdotes from my clinical practice. Everybody loves stories.

Pawel: Speaking of education, you’ve developed courses for the last decade, correct me if I'm wrong. Can you discuss a particularly memorable or successful course you’ve presented? One, you believe made the most impact on the individual or profession in general.

Dr. Rina: The first course I presented was 18 years ago - 2006. I went to attend a CPD on shoulder and the instructor was so boring I called the company during lunchtime and said I could do a great job presenting. The first course I taught was on vestibular therapy. That went on for 2-3 years. Then I migrated. And I got busy studying etc. The recent stint of my courses started about 6 years ago.

I started teaching about diaphragm rehabilitation, which is still my favourite out of 22 courses I have created.

Pawel: With your extensive practice, can you share a story about a patient or case that profoundly impacted your professional perspective?

Dr. Rina: Oh gosh, so many. Each one is special in their own way. I feel each one of the thousands of patients has influenced me and my practice. Can't be biased here. I hope I brought them joy as they did to me.

Pawel: You authored the series “Orthopaedic Assessments Made Easy.” What gap did you see that inspired you to write these books?

Dr. Rina: This was student-inspired. I teach anatomy and I repeatedly heard from students how complicated the anatomy books are. Wish there was a one-stop-shop simplified resource. So it's not a textbook but a resource book for MSK - muscle origin, insertion, nerve supply, blood supply, function, and special tests for each joint of the lower extremity. Did you know the artwork is done by a 17-year-old and the people are anime?

Pawel: Over the years, how has the field of physical therapy evolved, and where do you see it heading in the next decade? Is TikTok an answer for all patients? Will AI-driven changes impact the profession?

Dr. Rina: I believe it's both ways -- awareness of Physiotherapy has improved a great deal and this has in turn helped physio grow as well. AI will definitely play a role in physio though the need for humans will never cease to exist. I lead a module on AI, technology in healthcare where we discuss a lot on this topic and it's here to stay.

TikTok is not the answer, it can be dangerous without background knowledge and expertise as it is with any profession.

Pawel: Digital technology is increasingly integral in healthcare. What role do you think it will play in the future of physical therapy?

Dr. Rina: Tech leaped forward with the pandemic. We are a part of it already, from telehealth physio to the use of robots for joint mobilization. We have to embrace it like we did the calculators and computers. However, we need to hold the ground as humans and make sure common sense and logic don't become extinct.

Pawel: You’ve treated patients from various cultural backgrounds. How do you address cultural sensitivities in your practice?

Dr. Rina: I feel humour is an icebreaker all the way. Who better to know than you.. You are amazing with your patients!

On a professional note, we have to be respectful just as we are when we visit someone's house, country, or body. I observe and follow. It's like a Trojan horse approach because at the end of the day I have to lead the session with their consent.

Pawel: What are some common misconceptions about physical therapy that you encounter, and how do you address them? How do your trainings help to shape young physiotherapists' approach to the profession?

Dr. Rina: This happened 25 years ago when physio was expected to give massages. Nowadays it's more accepted and understood.

I tell my students to respect the profession for others to respect them as professionals. Treat every body and person with respect and you will earn respect and trust back.

Pawel: Over your career, who have been your physiotherapy gurus or inspirations? We know there is an ongoing shift based on evidence. Would you educate your gurus today?

Dr. Rina: Honestly, I don't follow a person or a technique. Because fortunately physio is not a prescriptive medicine. I always say, we gather tools in our tool belt.

And you are right, there is a shift in evidence, so I don't have anyone steady. I resonate with an approach, apply it and make it mine. I teach myself and learn from everyone around me.

Pawel: You’ve surely encountered a wide range of students in your educational roles. Could you share experiences with your best and most challenging students?

Dr. Rina: The challenging ones are the ones that make you think and go back and research and make you think outside the box. Yes, I said think twice... Because I love it when I have someone to challenge me to think. And they are my best students too.

Then there are the cheeky ones who leave an impression. It's always memorable to be a part of their journey and see them morph into these clinicians. I am lucky to teach from 1st year all the way into the master's program and it's a treat.

Pawel: Having achieved so much in your career, what’s next for you? Are there any new projects or goals you’re looking forward to?

Dr. Rina: I have a feeling teaching is going to be a cornerstone. I am hoping to gain some more clinical skills and grow with physio with AI, Tech... There are a lot of unexplored territories. I do wish to travel internationally to teach if that is a possibility like I teach online.

Pawel: What hobbies or interests do you pursue outside of your professional life?

Dr. Rina: I have recently developed a passion for cooking, not saying I am good at it. I like to explore places and trails with my dog.

Pawel: Balancing a demanding career with personal life can be challenging. How do you manage your work-life balance?

Dr. Rina: I struggle. Haha. I guess being organised helps but what is it they say about the best-laid plans.... My family is very accommodating which is also very helpful. We have an unspoken agreement between us.

Pawel: Since we connected on TikTok, how has social media influenced or impacted your professional life and outreach?

Dr. Rina: I outsourced it to some 22-year-old since I don't understand much of it. Embarrassingly enough, I was already plastered quite a bit because of my work and now here's more of me because of social media. It is a necessity, no way around it until there's a way.

Pawel: Can you share a humorous or unexpected moment from your career? Any spider fell from the lamp during the most important lecture you delivered?

Dr. Rina: Oh gosh no spiders!!

But I was once teaching while seated on a gym ball. By habit, I was bouncing on it while I was teaching not realizing the air was leaking... Soon it was halfway deflated. Nearly saved my dignity by not falling. Haha.  

Pawel: Thank you.

Pawel Ciecierski - Editor-in-Chief of PhysioSpectrum, Clinical Specialist in Neurological Physiotherapy