Learning to Protect Hearts Amidst a Pandemic

Despite facing trials from the Circuit Breaker (CB) and the COVID-19 pandemic, Reuben Foo and Siti Zawana Bte Suhadi, students from Republic Polytechnic School of Sports, Health and Leisure, concluded their internship as therapy assistants with Singapore Heart Foundation on a good note. Read on to find out about their fruitful learning experience with the Foundation while being physically away from their mentors.

Congratulations on the completion of your internship! Why did you choose to do an internship with SHF?

Reuben: To end the final year of polytechnic, we are required to complete an internship at an affiliated company in Singapore for us to both gain working experience and apply what we have learnt in school.

I chose SHF as I felt a strong connection with its goal to assist individuals in their road to recovery through cardiac rehabilitation using techniques like physiology, muscle kinesthetics and exercise prescription.

Zawana: Initially, I was hesitant on taking up the role as a therapy assistant because I did not have any sports experience and was not usually associated with being healthy or active. However, I chose to step out of my comfort zone with the aim to learn more things by doing something out of the norm. As I know that cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in Singapore, I thought it will be meaningful to be part of the organisation to help cardiac clients and at-risk individuals through their cardiac rehabilitation.

Both of you began your attachment to the SHF Heart Wellness Centres as therapy assistants on 1 April – just days before the start of the Circuit Breaker. How was it like to join at such time?

Zawana: Pre-CB was short for me, as I only started three days before it kicked in. Although I did not get in touch with any clients, the three days in the centre gave me an understanding of the various gym equipment and medical conditions, so that I know how to help the clients and what to focus on during their cardiac rehabilitation when I meet them.

Reuben: On a daily basis, we assisted with administrative works like recording of exercises assigned to the clients and also organising their health data. I was also allowed to assist the physiotherapist on duty, who will assign customised exercise regime for each client based on their health condition and limitations.

Working in the centre was an eye-opener, as I got exposed to various health conditions and witnessed cardiac rehabilitation first-hand.

And what did you do during the CB?

Reuben: Although circuit breaker stopped my physically learning, our manager and supervisor still ensured that we were engaged in learning while at home by assigning us with five projects.

Zawana: These included home exercise videos and brochures to guide our clients in home exercises. Our videos were part of the Foundation’s weekly “Fitness Friday” sessions on Facebook Live and YouTube to lead and encourage clients to continue exercising at home.

We were also tasked to create a presentation deck to educate our colleagues on Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), conduct a debate on which gender is at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and also do a write up on hypertension.

Through these projects, I learnt a lot and actually better understand both CVD and its risk factors, allowing me to educate my loved ones as well.

How was post-CB like for you as an intern?

Reuben: Post-circuit breaker means a smaller exercise group, and I was given a chance to guide clients on a one-to-one basis for their warm-up and cool-down exercises, which allowed me to decide how I should customise exercise based on their respective conditions.

Zawana: Although post-CB was just less than 2 months to the end of my internship, I am glad to be back in the centre as it gave me an opportunity to interact with clients, learn from colleagues like our physiotherapists. I may not have been able to learn as much as pre-COVID-19 season, but I am still glad to be part of the Foundation and helping the team guide our clients back on track.

Do you have anything else to add?

Reuben: Although the internship felt short, I appreciate all the feedbacks I received as it allows me to improve in what I am doing and gain more out of it. We may be still in the COVID-19 season, but I would like to remind our clients to continue their exercise, be it in the centre or at home, so that they can beat both cardiovascular disease and COVID-19.

Zawana: I am grateful to my colleagues like Ruth, Zhong Shern and Haziq who helped me through this trying period; and I am very happy to have built relationships with some of the clients, who will make the effort to thank me personally whenever they leave the centre.

As they are all high-risk patients, I hope they continue to make the effort to continue exercising at home and consider trying out the various exercises created by the team in the comfort of their own home. For now, thank you and I hope everyone will stay safe and healthy.