Do I Need to be Good at Every Physiotherapy Specialism?
- Physioing
- Mar 19
- 4 min read
Updated: May 14
Do I need to be good at every physiotherapy specialism? No! Is it really OK if you're not great at every physiotherapy specialism? Yes, it really is OK if you don't excel in every area.
As long as you're competent and safe on placements or rotations, it is OK and we're here to provide a reality check if you've been beating yourself up about it!
Pressure from Yourself
A reminder to go easy on yourself. Whilst it isn't always the confidence boost we need when we're not excelling at work or university, it doesn't take away anything from your achievements and abilities in other specialisms. Although it may be uncomfortable at the time, completing rotations or placement in areas you find difficult or do not enjoy, often provides experience and skills you'll need for meeting essential requirements for future roles and jobs.
Looking at the bigger picture, physio is such a diverse the career. It is unrealistic to expect to perform exceptionally in every area, that would be the equivalent of finding a physio unicorn! If you don't believe me, here's a copy of our Insta reel listing some of the many areas in which physios work. Is it realistic to think you need to be good at all these specialisms?
University Pressures
Although you may wish to perform well at everything at university, realistically you may pick some things up more quickly and others may require more work or feel like a struggle. It's OK if you're not performing to the same standard in all specialisms covered by your physiotherapy degree, or if you enjoy some more than others. You'll also notice fellow students or colleagues have their own areas in which they have to work harder or naturally shine.
Many students show an aptitude or preference for individual specialisms whilst studying, or begin their education with a specific specialism in mind. Perhaps on placement a passion is uncovered for a particular speciality or working environment. Noticing and reflecting on this early in your career can help you carry out extra preparation work and mentally prepare for placements or perhaps future rotations in areas which you feel less skilled or do not enjoy. Although it may be tempting to shy away from certain specialisms early on, if you've got your eye on a particular specialism or rotational role, check what experience is typically required in the job description/person specification before you write anything off.
Workplace Pressures
As a rotational physio or student physiotherapist your role requires a broad knowledge of a variety of specialisms and the ability to adapt to different work environments. However, on rotation or placement you may feel extra pressure from fixed members of staff with in-depth knowledge in their specialism. Perhaps as specialised colleagues and employers, we sometimes fall into the trap of forgetting that we're working with someone who's retaining knowledge from and working in multiple specialisms.
Student positions and rotational roles often carry the greatest demand for retaining a vast breadth of knowledge and it can feel like a juggling act. If you're unsure of what is appropriate for a rotational role, most workplaces have set competency frameworks for band 5 and band 6 roles. If not, the CSP website includes competency frameworks for many specialities. Use these as a guide to review how well you're doing and plan in any relevant training and support if needed. If you feel like you're working to unrealistic expectations, or are insufficiently supported, approach staff leading rotations, preceptorships or placements to discuss.
Reality - Most Physios Specialise
Even if you are a mythical physio unicorn that performs well in all specialities, in reality, achieving career progression usually requires narrowing your specialisms. Beyond Band 6 rotational physio roles, most physio roles are specialised and some physios specialise at band 5 level. Specialising takes away some of the pressure of retaining a breadth of extra knowledge, allowing you to get to grips on building depth of knowledge in areas you are passionate about. That's not to say you can't change specialisms later in your career, that is one of the many advantages of a career in physio, it's very adaptable.
In Conclusion
Despite the potential pressures we may put on ourselves, or feel from university or work, the reality is physio is a vastly diverse career. It's only human to excel in some but not all specialisms (unless you're a physio unicorn)! Ultimately, to progress, most physios specialise at some point in their careers.
Although it may feel uncomfortable completing placement and rotations in areas we struggle with or don't enjoy, it's all part of the learning curve. We've all been there. Just try not to be too hard on yourself. If you're in any doubt, just ask a respected lecturer or colleague about which specialisms they didn't enjoy or struggled with and you'll see what I mean!
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