Medical Employment Agency New Zealand & United Kingdom, Medical Staffing International

NZSP/Medical Staffing International Achievement Award for Physiotherapy

Inaugural winner is: Carol Armitage of West Side Physiotherapy

The Power of the Written Word

Success at the written word has trebled the growth of a Palmerston North physiotherapist's business and earned her the NZSP/ Medical Staffing International Achievement Award for Physiotherapy .

Carol Armitage, a practicing physiotherapist for 24 years, wrote 'The Power of Posture' with the aim of encouraging women to practice good posture. Her book has been a resounding success; 1500 copies have sold in New Zealand, it went on sale in Japan on 1 October 2004, and will soon be published in North America.

"I think writing this book, which is aimed at a consumer audience, was considered an unusual step for a practicing physio, but it was an important area that I wanted to confront," says Carol. "Everyone who has bad posture knows it, but as a therapist it is often challenging to communicate the benefits of good posture to my patients. Like many physios I was trying to find more innovative ways of getting the message out there."

The book, which is described as a 'self help fitness guide', guides readers through the stages of achieving good posture.

Carol said she is thrilled by the attention the book has received; and winning the Medical Staffing Award, she says, topped it all. "I am a clinical physio, not a researcher, I come from the era of post grad diplomas, and writing a book was a huge step. Winning the Medical Staffing Award was confirmation that I had achieved something great, and it has given me a lot of confidence."

Carol has not been short on accolades: as well as soon having her book published in four countries, she has also been signed on as an exclusive seminar speaker in Asia, the Middle East and South America, and she will be joining the next Young Commonwealth and Young Olympic teams as their official physiotherapist.

Her audience, Carol explains, are consumers, not therapists, but she also knows many of her peers who have invested in a copy for their library or waiting room. "I am an interface between the public and the profession," she says.

All of the women profiled by Carol in the book are from Palmerston North, a fact that has greatly assisted her business growth. "The clinic is revolutionised. You can get very boxed in by ACC and trying to fit within the structure. I still fit in there, but the success of the book has given me license to step out of the mould and do something different."

One of the ways Carol has stepped out of the mould is by growing her business, Westside Clinic. She has employed eight new people this year. "I have a great relationship with Medical Staffing and I want physios from around the world in my business. It's great for people from South Africa, Ireland or Canada to be able to come and experience the Palmerston North lifestyle."

Carol is using the prize money contributed by Medical Staffing International for the Award to visit her readers in Japan.

For more information about the NZSP/ Medical Staffing International Achievement Award for Physiotherapy >>

contact us:

Check the date and time in NZ right now >

E-mail: enquiries@medicalstaffing.co.nz
Phone: +64 9 575 4258
UK: 00 800 6746 9123
Canada: 011 800 6746 9123
SMS:+64210304303
Fax: +64 9 929 3211
Skype: medicalstaffingint.nz