KEY POINTS:
- Cardiac Rehab group exercise sessions are back at ORH.
- One-on-one appointments also available.
- For more information about Cardiac Rehabilitation exercise sessions at ORH, call 5154 6623 or email intake@orh.com.au
A lot has been said about the impact that COVID lockdowns and isolation had on patients - when medical appointments or rehab sessions were moved to online interactions through a phone or computer screen.
But for young health professionals, beginning their careers after years of study and excitement about joining the profession, starting out in the COVID years proved to be very different from what they had envisioned.
And so as COVID restrictions continue to ease this month, Orbost Regional Health staff like Exercise Physiologist David Kelly are excited to be able to welcome clients and patients back for face-to-face sessions at the health service.
“For me, the personal interaction side of things was one of the big reasons that drew me to this work in the first place,” David said. “I love talking with people, getting to know people. And while there is a lot you can do with telehealth, it’s really nice now to be finally meeting our clients in-person.”
“People are social animals. We all want to hang out with other people.”
David and the Community Services team recently relaunched Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise group sessions, for people recovering from having had a cardiac procedure or who have been diagnosed with a heart condition.
The Cardiac Rehab sessions are held in ORH’s very well-appointed private gym, with the expert guidance and support of David and a specialist Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurse.
One-on-one appointments are also available.
For more information about Cardiac Rehabilitation exercise sessions at ORH, call 5154 6623 or email intake@orh.com.au
David said although some people are hesitant about joining a group session, they are usually pleasantly surprised by the camaraderie and energy that develops amongst a group of people with a shared experience working toward a shared goal.
“It’s like being part of a team, really,” he said. “Rehab and exercise routines can be hard to get motivated about sometimes. But when you are there with other people going through the same thing, and you’re sharing your struggles or your achievements, it’s amazing how energising that can be.”
Most of all, David said, he hopes local people come along to the group sessions to get some help with their recovery, whatever that help might be.
“Exercise can be unfamiliar to people,” he said. “Some of the people we work with have never been on a treadmill. It doesn’t matter to us - we want everyone who needs our help to feel comfortable coming to us. If you have any questions about our cardiac rehab sessions, give us a call.”
David will also be launching an Osteoarthritis Exercise Group in the coming weeks, for people with hip or knee osteoarthritis.
For more information, visit www.orbostregionalhealth.com.au/physiotherapy, call 5154 6623 or email intake@orh.com.au