Q&A: Bruce Jiang (Physical Therapist)


New to the UP team, Bruce joined us just over a month ago. Originally from Handan of Hebei province, he received his undergrad at Wuhan Sports University prior to achieving his maters at the Shanghai University of Sport. He is currently studying for his Doctor of Physiotherapy at Monash University with plans to graduate this month. Read on to learn more about one of our newest members of the team:

Q1
What made you decide to pursue your career?
Under the influence of my father, I loved to watch sports as a child. I’ve always been fascinated by the human body and how it works. When I was in university I chose to major in exercise rehabilitation. In the process of learning, I realized that the more I learned, the more I didn’t know. This was an important reason for me to enrich my educational experience, and now I continue to work on improving my clinical experience.

Q2
It sounds like your dad was huge influence on your childhood – would you say he was your biggest role model?
My biggest role model growing up was actually my mother. She is a nurse and has always been passionate about helping others. She has inspired me to pursue a career in physiotherapy and to always put my patients’ needs first.

Q3
That’s so special. What would you say are some of your specialities in the field?
My primary focus is on musculoskeletal physiotherapy. In Australia, I worked closely with patients recovering from surgeries, including joint replacements (hip, knee), spinal surgeries, and fracture repairs, to help them regain strength, mobility, and function. I also regularly saw patients with other musculoskeletal conditions such as back, neck, knee, shoulder, and ankle pain.

Q4
Do you have any patient stories you would like to share?
One of my most rewarding cases was working with a patient named, let’s call her, Barbara, who had suffered a stroke. The stroke had left her with significant mobility issues, including weakness and lack of coordination on one side of her body. Barbara was initially very discouraged and unsure of her ability to recover. She had been an active person before the stroke and was eager to return to her previous level of function.
Our approach was to focus on improving Barbara’s mobility, balance, and coordination. We used a combination of manual therapy and functional training to help her regain strength and control over her movements. One of the biggest challenges was Barbara’s lack of confidence in her ability to walk independently. We worked on building her trust by gradually increasing the difficulty of her exercises and providing support and encouragement throughout the process.
Barbara’s progress was slow but steady, but over time she was able to walk with assistance and gradually increased her independence. Eventually, Barbara was able to return to many of her previous activities, including gardening, cooking, and spending time with her family.
In summary, Barbara’s journey with stroke recovery highlights the importance of a personalized approach to physiotherapy. By focusing on her individual needs, goals, and challenges, we were able to help her achieve remarkable progress and improve her quality of life.

Q5
That’s incredible! What a rewarding experience. What do you see as one of the biggest challenges in your work with patients?
One of the biggest challenges with patients is managing their expectations initially. It can be difficult to convey complex medical information in a way that is easy for them to understand, and patients may have different expectations for their care. It’s vital to take the time to listen to patients’ concerns and to communicate clearly and compassionately.

Q6
How true that is – making sure the ‘language’ speaks to your patient on a level they can grasp. Would you say that is part of your approach to helping others heal?
My approach to helping others heal is to focus on the whole person, not just their medical condition. Although I can manage their symptoms through manual therapy, I believe that taking the time to listen to patients’ concerns, understanding their values and preferences, and involving them in their care plan is crucial to achieving positive outcomes. I also prioritize education and empowerment, teaching patients how to manage their own health and make informed decisions about their care.

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