By Sade Adewale, Ondo

The newly inducted 64 physiotherapists have been charged with striving to uphold their professional identity and maximising networking as a tool to excel in their profession.

A professor in the Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Professor Abidemi Tella, gave the charge during the 4th set of physiotherapists’ induction at the Odosida Campus of the University.

Tella, who spoke at the lecture titled “Your Future in Physiotherapy: Building a Professional Identity and Network,” said, “Professional identity entails knowing how you perceive yourself and how others see you in your professional role; your values, beliefs and behaviours as a physiotherapist; and clinical skills, commitment to ethical practice, and dedication to continuous learning.”

The guest lecturer considered professional identity to be important because it helps to build self-confidence, enhance career advancement, aid ethical practice, and build resilience. She stressed that networking is infinitely more important.

In her words, “Networking opens doors to job opportunities, mentorships, and collaborations; allows you to learn about the latest techniques, research, and best practices; provides support through challenging times and helps celebrate successes, among others.”

“A strong professional identity and a well-established network are keys to thriving in the physiotherapy field,” she stated.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adesegun Fatusi, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Roseangela Nwuba, congratulated the inductees and commended their dedication to their studies while at the university.

Nwuba said, “Let me join other well-wishers in congratulating you and also commending your diligence, dedication and dutifulness in the course of your programme. With this induction, you have shown that hard work pays.”

The Registrar of the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board of Nigeria, Professor Rufai Yusuf Ahmad, advised the inductees to be steadfast and carry out their practice with sincerity and honesty.

The Dean of the Faculty of Medical Rehabilitation, Professor Teslim Onigbinde, spoke about the efforts of the university in bridging the gap for the training and development of all medical rehabilitation professions.

He said, “Not only are we graduating our fourth set of physiotherapy students today, but we have also commenced the first transitional Doctor of Physiotherapy (t-DPT) programme for all degree holders in physiotherapy in Nigeria. This t-DPT programme is the first of its kind in all of Nigeria, if not Africa. Several institutions have contacted us to understudy this UNIMED initiative.”

Onigbinde also advised the inductees to uphold ethics in their practice and be good ambassadors of the institution.

He said, “As professionals, there are several landmarks of professional ethics and conduct that you must not change. Ensure that, in all your practice, you make the health and well-being of your patients a great priority at all times and do not, at any point, be involved in any behaviour that will tarnish the image of the physiotherapy profession or the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, where you have been trained.”