Ms Ilse Du Plessis
I have a specific interest in neurology rehabilitation, and see predominantly spinal cord patients in my practice, I did a clinical masters in neurology and neurosurgery, where I looked at neuropathic pain pathways in people living with spinal cord injuries. The findings identified pain as a significant barrier towards community reintegration and confirmed the impact of spinal mobilization towards relieving and managing pain. I also have an interest in acute rehabilitation and the critical management of cardio-respiratory patients. I supervise physiotherapy students in their ICU clinical placements, where we focus on the early mobilization of critical care patients.
I am currently a PhD candidate. My doctoral study centers the critical ill population, more specifically the health outcomes and lived experiences of critical ill survivors in low-resourced settings. I am interested in their quality of life as impacted by their environment.