A b s t r a c t U n d e r g r a d u a t e R e s e a r c h T h e F u t u r e o f P h y s io t h e r a p y in S o u t h A f r ic a A B S T R A C T : A brain drain in the physiotherapy profession is a cause o f m ajor concern currently among physiotherapists in South Africa. The main aim o f this study was to determine the future plans o f 2nd to 4th year physiotherapy students registered at the three academic institutions in the Western Cape f o r the 1999 academic year. It also aim ed at determining the reasons why graduates chose to stay or leave South Africa. The results o f the study show that an overwhelming m ajority (86%) o f the respondents considered leaving South Africa follow ing graduation. The reasons listed f o r leaving included gaining experience, financial gain and jo b availability. It is hoped that the results o f this study will stimulate relevant role players to investigate means o f persuading our graduates to stay and work in the country. S c h o o l S c r e e n in g f o r S c o l io s is A B S T R A C T : School screening f o r scoliosis can be highly effective in detecting those relevant curvatures that would benefit most fro m the available conser­ vative treatment at an advantageously early stage. The correct age group o f adolescent fem a les is targeted, and routine examination can be administered with relative ease. The program is m ost accurate when perform ed with a prim ary Forward Bending Test, and in cases where scoliosis is suspected, a second screening using either the Forward Bending examination or a scoliom eter reading is recom­ m ended before referral to a co-operating medical team. It is convenient, and suitably accurate follow ing b rie f training, f o r the fir s t two tests to be conducted by the sc h o o l’s nurse or physical education staff. Screening at schools allows f o r early diagnosis o f scoliosis, allowing m aximum benefit and prognosis to be obtained as a result o f the subsequent non-operative treatment. Boston braces have presented the highest rates o f compliance and have thus yielded some o f the m ost beneficial results o f m anagem ent by bracing. A treatment is deem ed successful i f the progression o f the curvature has been stopped, and this occurs with the m ajority o f cases that are detected whilst they are in the early stages. The prognosis o f scoliosis is therefore improved by conservative treatment measures. The cost o f implementing a school screening program is ju stified by its ability to decrease the m orbidity o f those adolescents who are affected by this disease. The program s are generally inexpensive, are not time consuming and are sim ple to administer. A s much as 75% to 95% o f A IS cases that require surgery could have avoided operative managem ent through early diagnosis and treatment. A s the screening projects encourage and implement the early detection o f scoliosis, which can then be effectively managed, there is great value in the implementation and m ainte­ nance o f these school screening programs. C l i e n t ’s E x p e r ie n c e s o f T h e ir S h o u l d e r Pa i n a n d D is a b il it y A B S T R A C T : The purpose o f this qualitative study was to enhance understanding o f what it is like to suffer fro m chronic shoulder pain fro m the perspectives o f those living with the experience. ' Unstructured interviews, using the open-ended question “tell us about your shoulder", were used to allow the twelve clients to elaborate fre e ly on their feelin g s and experiences. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. These transcriptions were coded and categorized. Five themes emerged fro m the categories: Pain, Activities, Emotional Responses, Relationships and Coping Mechanisms. These findings expand understanding about quality o f life f o r clients living with chronic shoulder pain and disability. COOLE A', DE JAGER R1, HOFMEYR j', MCKENZIE S', VON BROEMBSEN N' 1 University of C a p e Town CONNELLAN k ' U n iv e rs ity o f the W itw atersrand FRANTZ J ’, CLOETE P2, HEYNES A2, STEENBERG A2 1 Supervisor, University of the Western C a p e University o f the Western C ap e 36 SA J o u r n a l o f P h y s io th e ra p y 2000 V o l 56 No 4 R ep ro du ce d by S ab in et G at ew ay u nd er li ce nc e gr an te d by th e P ub lis he r (d at ed 2 01 3. )