Name and Title(s):
Sabine Schill BScPT
Where do you work?
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
When I first saw the Island health values (C.A.R.E.) I found them a bit cheesy, but I realized that it is rewarding to be achieving them in my own way. Courage: do the right thing. For me it was having the courage to ask for help and be accountable for my actions; Aspire: to the highest degree of quality and safety. My colleagues have a wealth of knowledge, and I try to learn as much as I can from them. Respect: value each individual and bring trust to every relationship. I chose this profession to help people, for me that means not only patients, but also visitors, and staff. Empathy: give the kind of care we would want for our loved ones. I try to treat everyone with honesty and fairness, I even treat the building like my home!
Why does physiotherapy matter?
Physiotherapists treat patients wholistically. We treat them physically but also often touch on other aspects of their lives that are affected by their condition. At the hospital, I find that we are often the ones with answers to questions and concerns, not only of the patient but of everyone caring for the patient.
What is a common misconception with your work?
We fix people and can take them back to the condition they were in, or better. To me, it’s about restoring function to fit their condition and giving people quality of life.
What drew you to physical therapy?
To be honest, I did a career thing in high school, and PT was one of the options. I was a massage therapist and was home from doing some training in Kneipp and medical hydrotherapy at a school for physical therapy in Germany. Overnight I decided I wanted to be a PT. Clearly, it was meant to be because I got into the program on my first try.
What is unique about what you do?
I don’t necessarily follow the rules: I try to avoid the cookie-cutter approach because I don’t think the world is black and white. I try to treat each person by matching the treatment to their personality and needs.
What is one thing we might be surprised to learn about you?
I went to World Congress in Washington DC and presented on the role of massage in physical therapy. I also did a clinical placement at an amazing rehab hospital in Germany (Enzensberg) right by the famous castle of King Ludwig (Neuschwanstein).