My Working Life: Megan Griffith

What is your role at Blackrock Health Galway Clinic?

I am a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist in Pelvic Health and Continence.

Did you always want to be a Physiotherapist?

I wasn't steadfast on becoming a Physiotherapist necessarily, but I have always been interested in healthcare and hoped to work in that field so that I could contribute to the health and well-being of others.

What has been your career pathway?

I have had a coloured career in Physiotherapy so far. I completed rotations in all areas of Physiotherapy with the HSE in Ireland, and for several years I worked in an Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit with the NHS, where I provided rehabilitation for patients following traumatic brain injury and stroke. Since 2015, I have specialised in Pelvic Health and Continence, and in Pilates. My career has allowed me to travel in my 20s, when I worked in Sydney, Melbourne and London.

How long have you worked in Blackrock Health Galway Clinic?

Since 2014.

Is there anything special about working in Blackrock Health Galway Clinic?

Lots! I get to work with wonderful patients, helping them to overcome health challenges, and to help them along their journey to achieving their goals. I also feel very fortunate that I get to contribute to Women’s and Men’s Health on a broader level through my work in academics, research and marketing.

Blackrock Health Galway Clinic shows initiative and innovation in the use of technology in healthcare. The Pelvic Health and Continence Physiotherapy at Galway Clinic were delighted to recently acquire the V Scan Air, a wireless and portable real-time ultrasound unit, which allows us to examine a patient’s pelvic floor and abdominal muscles in detail and non-invasively, and acts as a powerful educational tool to teach people how to correctly activate these muscles.

What time do you wake up in the morning?

Anywhere between 5 and 6am - my young children wouldn’t have it any other way!

What does your role involve?

My role involves helping patients, both female and male, who experience urinary and bowel incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, over-activity of the bladder, women with antenatal and postnatal conditions, as well as pelvic girdle pain and sexual pain. I also treat women after gynaecological surgery, men before and after prostatectomy, and those with osteoporosis and osteopenia.

As a Clinical Specialist, I am responsible for maintaining high standards of clinical practice through research, auditing and education. I am also a certified matwork Pilates instructor and teach specialised Pilates to patients with osteoporosis and osteopenia, and following prostatectomy in individualised and group settings.

What sort of patients do you treat?

I treat both female and male patients, of all ages from 18 upwards.

Is there a patient that stands out in your mind?

There are so many patients that stand out that I don’t think I could narrow this down to just one. I have met the most incredible patients throughout my near 20 year career, who have shown more resilience and determination to overcome their health challenges than could be imagined. There are a few instances in life when a person’s physical and emotional resilience are tested, and a tough Physiotherapy session can certainly be one. It’s as inspiring as it gets.

What is the most rewarding part of your job at Blackrock Health Galway Clinic?

Hands down, seeing a patient completing their course of rehabilitation, goals achieved. That will never get old.

How does your role contribute to improving the patient experience at Blackrock Health/ Galway Clinic?

I have the opportunity every day at work to ensure that patients feel comfortable to speak openly, feel listened to, involved and empowered to take charge of his/her health.

My role in research also means that I can stay up-to-date with new, evidence-based assessment and treatment adjuncts, such as the V Scan Air realtime ultrasound. This ensures that patients can receive gold-standard assessment techniques for the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles, for instance after prostatectomy and for women postnatally with diastasis recti. Realtime ultrasound can be a particularly useful option for patients who find internal examinations of the pelvic floor muscles confronting, meaning that everyone who attends our Pelvic Health and Continence Physiotherapy service has the opportunity to be examined thoroughly and non-invasively.

What is the last thing you usually do every day?

I try to read but more often than not resort to a podcast.

What is the greatest piece of advice you were ever given?

No matter what, keep the ship facing forwards.

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