Top contributor for December: Vidya Acharya
For the month of December, let's acknowledge the efforts of a special individual, Vidya Acharya . Vidya is a physiotherapist with endless energy! She has a positive and dynamic personality and is always happy to help and guide new volunteers. Always ready to take on new assignments and assignments, she is behind the scenes looking for new and evidence-based research to update Physiopedia, pages and share with the team. It is a pleasure to work with you, Vidya, well done in all of your accomplishments.
Your name: Vidya Acharya
Time active at Physiopedia: I started as a volunteer at Physiopedia in March 2018, exactly 2 years and 9 months ago.
Current Role at Physiopedia: I create and review content on Physiopedia, including updating Physiopedia pages with relevant research and current literature. I also contribute to content development projects. I recently supported the team in running the volunteer orientation course.
Where did you go to university / college? Bachelor of Physiotherapy: C.M.F. College of Physiotherapy, University of Pune, India. Master of Physiotherapy (in Neurophysiotherapy): Seth G.S Medical College and King Edward Memorial Hospital, University of Mumbai, India.
Where do you work? I took a break from physiotherapy practice to raise my two children after moving to the Gulf. At home I worked in renowned hospitals as well as in an academic institution.
Describe your role: My clinical role has focused on the treatment of neurological diseases. As a clinical therapist, my role included treating patients in intensive care units and rehabilitating patients who have had stroke, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. I also gained clinical experience in pediatric PT. After completing my postgraduate studies, I worked for a short time as a lecturer at a physiotherapy college.
What is the most rewarding part of being a physical therapist?
I love the patient care and the commitment, educating and supporting patients in achieving their rehabilitation goals. The most rewarding part of our job is when a patient regains their lost motion.
What are some of the more challenging aspects of being a physical therapist? Failure to achieve an ideal result can be a challenging situation for a PT. Since I didn't have a lot of resources to practice with, it was frustrating. With the great availability of resources in Physiopedia, access to valuable information is no longer a problem.
What are some of your professional passions? I'm very interested in science and research. I am passionate about neurophysiotherapeutic areas such as techniques to correct abnormal movement and restore functions such as gait, balance, and coordination. Motor learning and training in motor control are my areas of interest. I am also fascinated by research on microbiota, mitochondria, the circadian clock and their effects on the treatment of chronic diseases.
What are some of your personal passions? I have a passion for music and am currently studying piano at a local institute. I took part in annual concerts in 2018 and 2019. I love to read and have a particular interest in science and history. I recently added bottle art!
What advice would you give to a newly graduated physiotherapist? My advice to a newly graduated physical therapist would be to find out what their interests are and explore different areas of expertise before choosing a niche. Enjoy the trip!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I have no idea! It's a little difficult to answer at the moment. I would definitely want to return to clinical practice in the future.
What's the best part about being a Physiopedia volunteer?
Physiopedia has provided me with a fantastic opportunity to contribute in the field of physiotherapy and paved the way for me to keep in touch with the profession from afar.
It provides the opportunity to connect with top-class physical therapists around the world and allows me to continue doing what I love to do most – creating articles related to physical therapy.
How has it helped you to advance your professional development / career as a volunteer at Physiopedia? It has improved my writing and communication skills, research talents, and digital skills. Volunteering at Physiopedia has also helped me stay up to date with the latest research and clinical developments. I also learned how to conduct thorough literature research, assess the quality of the information, and analyze the relevance of the topic. Physiopedia has also enabled me to effectively manage my time and think critically.
What are your hopes and aspirations for Physiopedia? Physiopedia is an excellent website for aspiring physical therapists around the world who need a little help improving their patients' conditions. I aim to see Physiopedia grow, serve physical therapists worldwide, and expand its vision. With Physiopedia, physical therapists can learn and use the resources of Physiopedia in challenging environments.
What is your favorite course at Physioplus? I have just completed the Introduction to Spinal Cord Injury and am currently doing the course – Introduction to 
Neurology.
Would you like to say something else? Physiopedia has given me a fantastic opportunity to contribute to this platform and help build a database of physiotherapy information for various health care providers around the world. which would ultimately benefit patients worldwide. I enjoy creating new content! Thank you to Rachael, Tony and the team for giving me this wonderful opportunity.
