Profile: Sally Toft, Physiotherapist, Burnaby Hospital
When did you start working at Burnaby Hospital?
I’ve been at Burnaby Hospital for almost 15 years. I was first hired as a locum for seven weeks. Having spent the first 20 years of my professional life in private practice, I didn’t know how the hospital would like me or how I was going to like the hospital. It was a very different environment and I hadn’t worked in a hospital for such a long time. However, I thoroughly enjoyed those first seven weeks and those seven weeks turned into three months, three months turned into a year, casual turned into permanent, and I’m still here!
Describe a typical day.
A typical day starts with seeing new patients who are admitted to our program as well as monitoring those who are already part of our out patient regime. We look after patients who have had joint replacements and explain that although they may have a new hip or knee, they didn’t get a new body and now need to be committed to their rehabilitation. In short, they need to retrain their muscles to get them working again!
By far the greatest proportion of our patients are those who have had knee or hip replacements, but we also treat patients with shoulder and ankle replacements and occasionally new elbows. Physiotherapy begins as early as 10 days to two weeks after surgery. We progress patients to the level where they are feeling comfortable with their new joint—moving and walking with confidence before they graduate to a community exercise program.
What inspires you most about your job?
When I have the opportunity to look at patients before surgery, some of them have difficulty putting one foot in front of another. To see them then progress through their physiotherapy and take them to a level that they never dreamed possible is truly inspiring. It’s about seeing the drive that comes from within and how far that strength can take a person. Patients are aware from day one that our program is all about exercise and many say “I can’t do any of that” but at the end of the first session they realize what they “can do” and most look forward to their workout sessions.
What do you enjoy most about working at Burnaby Hospital?
What is very special about the hospital is being part of a team. I have wonderful support and now work in the Optimization Clinic, a state-of-the-art environment. In addition to my work at the hospital I also liaise with the University of British Columbia and provide clinical placements for the undergraduate students. I thoroughly enjoy the relationship; the students keep me young and current with the latest research which also helps advance our program. I think the human touch is a very nice way to describe Burnaby Hospital. It’s important to our patients to know that we’re here for them. The size of the hospital helps in that we’re not so big and this message gets out. The time we have with patients makes all the difference, knowing that we can individualize what we do so that it works for the patient.
Is there any message you’d like to send to the community?
There is a great sense of pride and ownership when you have a community hospital. What better investment is there than your health. At the end of the day it’s more important than anything to have a healthy mind and body. Quality of life is everything. If Burnaby Hospital can help do that, then please support it.