Burnout, Balance and the First Five Years of Physiotherapy | Kristen Witt | New Grad Series #14

This episode is part of the Physio Foundations New Graduate Series, exploring the challenges and opportunities in the first five years after graduation. Kristen Witt is a physiotherapist and founder of Witt Wellness in Sydney, Australia. Krissy is also a Nutritionist and Clinical Pilates instructor and was part of the Monash University Physiotherapy class of 2022. Burnout in early-career physiotherapy is increasingly discussed among new graduates. In this episode, Krissy and I explore the realities of the first five years of physiotherapy practice, including balancing evidence-based care with real-world clinical practice, managing energy and workload, and finding long-term purpose in the profession. We discuss practical strategies for navigating the early years of practice, protecting your energy, seeking mentorship, and building a sustainable and enjoyable physiotherapy career. Thanks to Krissy for a great conversation. Use the timestamps below to jump to relevant sections. In this episode: 0:00 Introduction to the episode and Krissy 4:30 What do you love about being a physiotherapist? 6:40 The most important knowledge and skills for a physiotherapist 8:40 I don’t know if I want to be a physiotherapist anymore – balancing expectations and reality 14:30 Strategies for managing your energy and avoiding burnout as a physiotherapist? 22:00 How many professional development courses should you do? 24:30 Benefits of having a mentor 29:40 Why are you doing this job? Bigger picture 33:30 How can you avoid burnout?  Practical tips 40:00 A final message of hope – hold on, good things are around the next corner! Read more about Krissy at her practice website Witt Wellness If you are finding this content helpful, we would appreciate a review and rating for the Physio Foundations podcast. This really helps promote the podcast to others. Hit the follow button and give us a review and 5-star rating! Stay connected: Read more at Perraton.Physio or the Perraton Physio LinkedIn page. Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerratonPhysio Follow @PerratonPhysio on Facebook, Instagram and Linked In. This discussion is intended for health professionals and health professional students. Always seek guidance from a qualified health professional regarding any questions about your health or medical condition.