CMNHS Physiotherapy students offer services at Marist 7s tournament

Press Release Posted On: April 9, 2021

Some of the CMNHS academic staff and students that provided physio support at the Marist 7s.

More than 40 Fiji National University (FNU) students from the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (CMNHS) gained first-hand learning experience while providing physiotherapy support to participants at the Marist 7s tournament last month.

The third and final-year Physiotherapy students continued their annual partnership between CMNHS and the Marist Brothers Old Boys Association (MOBA) that was formed more than 10 years ago.

CMNHS Head of Department Physiology and Physiotherapy, Venasio Ramabuke, said MOBA offered the tournament as a platform for clinical practice in the area of Sports Medicine whilst the Department offered human resources through the senior students.

“There were 22 Year 3 students and 20 final-year students that participated this year who were supervised by six academic staff during the event,” commented Ramabuke.

“Before every engagement, the Department ensures the students taking part were properly accredited by World Rugby. This was facilitated by the students undertaking a World Rugby First Aid in Rugby (FAIR) course through its online, theoretical and face-to-face practical components.”

“All Physiotherapy students participating in the Marist 7’s every year are accredited by World Rugby to serve in sanctioned matches and tournaments. The department is fortunate to have two of its academic staff who are also World Rugby-accredited Medical Educators. The two staff deliver the WR medical courses to our students as part of the programme.”

CMNHS academic staff Irinieta Macunaqio and a student, Rusiate, attends to a player.

Ramabuke said the opportunity to train students at practice sites was welcomed and added that the tournament offered the ideal practice site for Sports Medicine and Sports Injury Rehabilitation.

“During the tournament, students practice application of injury prevention strategies, management of acute injuries, implementation of World Rugby Head injury management protocol, and most importantly, advise and referrals for sports injury rehabilitation phase,” he stated.

“These strategies are learned in class and practical sessions and it is opportunities such as the Marist 7’s that enables practice in real-case scenarios. Nothing beats the firsthand learning experience in preparing trainees to be industry-ready.”

He said the Department was grateful to the Head of School of Health Sciences, the College Dean and the Vice-Chancellor for being supportive of the initiative over the last decade.

“We are also thankful to MOBA and staff and students of the Bachelor of Physiotherapy programme. The partnership also enables the department to provide community engagement and service.”

Final-year student Kautane Erasito said assisting the medical personnel on the field during the tournament was an eye-opening and learning experience.

“I witnessed a lot of injuries and learnt a lot. It also boosted my confidence in treating the players on the field,” shared Erasito.

“I provided cold compression for players on the field, mainly to those showing shoulder pain and referred possible concussion cases to the medical room. I also learnt from the medical team by observing how they worked together and followed protocols to ensure player safety was paramount.”

Students attending to a player.

“They also guided us on how to make and handle assessments and provided tips throughout the event,” he added.

Colleague Maria Diyalayala Weymouth added that participating in the tournament was an exciting learning experience as she had the opportunity to represent the programme and CMNHS at a national and widely attended rugby event.

“A highlight was working with my lecturers and other experienced physiotherapists in the sports field and learning from them aspects of medical care in rugby and also providing guidance to my juniors, who were present as well, on First Aid In Rugby,” Weymouth said.

“With guidance, I conducted on-field injury assessment, concussion assessment and blood  bin management and attended to concussions, dislocations, sprains and strains.”

“The event enhanced my practical skills in providing immediate care to rugby players, as we would be providing the first line of medical assistance to an injured individual.

Weymouth said she chose to study in the Bachelor of Physiotherapy course as she wanted to make a difference in a male-dominated field of work and play.

“I am also inspired by how a mere physiotherapist can contribute so much to a player, a client or a patient holistically, from helping an individual recover from an injury to helping them gain independence to move and walk again.”

CMNHS students at the venue.