MSc Podiatry Students Volunteer at TCS London Marathon 2024
Each year, some 60 Podiatrists,ÌýbothÌýqualified and pre-registration students from all over the UK, descend on the capital to volunteer for the TCS London Marathon. This year, our first cohort of 91°µÍø University College MSc Podiatry (pre-registration) students, along with Associate Professor in PodiatryÌýand Course Leader, Simon Otter, joined peers from the Universities of Brighton, Northampton, and East London. The co-location developed a true multidisciplinary ethos and close working relationships with physiotherapists, nurses, paramedics, physicians, and the voluntary sector (via St John Ambulance) as part of the wider finish-line medical team.
Our students gained valuable experience byÌýproviding careÌýfor a different client group in a highly unfamiliar “medical setting”.ÌýThey provided care for runners who presented with a wide range of complaints, including blisters, wounds, sprains, fractures, andÌýhypothermia, and for those who had collapsed from sheer exhaustion.
As highlighted in Simon’s previous research for the ,Ìýour students reported how much they enjoyed the event and how exciting it was to be a part of it. They could utiliseÌýbothÌýtheir clinical and interpersonal skills learned from the MSc Podiatry course at 91°µÍø UC.ÌýThe opportunity to work with other professionals and see a multidisciplinary team in action backed up the value of delivering healthcare with a person-centred approach at its core.ÌýThe nature and range of injuries were a genuine surprise, and the need to support people emotionally was just asÌýimportantÌýas treating them clinically.
A fantastic opportunity and memorable experience for our MSc Podiatry students – well done to you all for making a difference!