"I enjoy working with robotic devices," says physiotherapist Filip Gavač
He was brought to Janské Lázně four years ago by the opportunity – and at the same time the necessity – to work while studying at the Slovak University of Health Sciences in Bratislava. "After completing my bachelor's degree at the Institute of Physiotherapy, Balneology and Medical Rehabilitation in Piešťany, I decided to continue with my master's degree, which can only be studied remotely in Slovakia. In order to be accepted for my studies, I had to look for a workplace with permanent employment, that was a condition. I found Janské Lázně, where they allowed me to study remotely while working," said Filip Gavač, who came to the Krkonoše Mountains from Myjava. At the same time, he decided to break away from parental care and take care of himself. And he is not the only Slovak who helps patients return to life in an adult treatment center.
Filip came to Janské Lázně with his girlfriend, a physiotherapist. "At first, it was very difficult for us to adapt to the new conditions, we were not prepared for it at all, we did not know what to do. The hardest thing was learning to work alone and not be dependent on anyone. After half a year, I got my own gym and since then I have felt more independent, although sometimes I had to go for advice and sometimes I still go for it now."
How did you manage the demanding school while working?
"The rehabilitation manager supported us and helped us with our studies, which was a big plus. There wasn't much time to rest and our vacation was all about school and exams."
Your studies have been long, what topic did you choose for your thesis?
"Rehabilitation of patients with poliomyelitis - with polio. I summarized everything that is available and I was glad to find some background information. Everything about poliomyelitis is in the literature from the 50s, so I went through a lot of old literature, summarized everything and gave it a more understandable form for today's generation."
Let's get back to the work of a physiotherapist. Are you developing in other courses?
I took courses and other trainings and lectures on medical robotics, I started to enjoy this area a lot. Rehabilitation associated with robotics is very widespread today and Janské Lázně has already purchased some robotic aids, one of which – functional electrostimulation – is used by only three rehabilitation facilities in the Czech Republic. I am glad that I can work with these devices. I also learned the SMS method of MUDr. Smíšek, but as for larger courses, such as the Vojt Method or the McKenzie method, they are still waiting for me. I learn a lot through practice. There are a large number of major diagnoses, so I have a lot to draw from.”
What is the most difficult thing about being a physiotherapist?
"It depends on the patients I work with. I work with people who have had strokes in the severe stages of the disease, and some of them are very limited in their movement. Sometimes it's not so much the physical side as the psychological side. I have to empathize so that I know how to work with the patient, what exercises to choose, what procedure to take, what path to take. Motivate them to cooperate with me and so that they can live their lives more fully after returning home."
And what will please you?
"When a patient leaves satisfied, either completely cured or at least partially, in a state where they will not have pain for a long time. I am pleased that I can contribute to their better quality of life. We become closer with some of them during treatment, we also talk about our personal lives. It helps them a lot when you listen to them and they are grateful for it."
Do you spend time with other colleagues from Slovakia who work here?
"When there is time and if they have time off, we meet there, but rather in smaller groups. Sometimes we meet in the gym for a while in the morning. You know, we can't do that and we also talk about work. I was involved with many of them in the Czech-Polish project of cross-border cooperation of Czech and Polish spas and we did an internship in Scziawno Zdrój."
How do you relax?
"Sometimes I go to the gym, sometimes I run up the hills, sit there and relax."
Thanks for the interview.
Zdenka Hanyšová Whole
