I wanted to make a comment about the politics and hierarchy in the medical world that is never really talked about but everyone knows about. So as physiotherapy students it can be thought that we are pretty low on the food chain. If you think like this I think it would hinder your communitcation with other professionals. You would be too nervous to talk to anyone more experienced than your self such as surgeons. In the past, I must admit, that I have been too nervous to ask questions just in case I am meant to know the answer already, save myself the embarressment. This is a shame as it is people of this professional calibre that we can learn the most from. I have recently been in Fiji on my self directed placement. I was travelling with a very well respected hand surgeon from Sydney and his team which included an anaethasits and a hand physiotherapist. It was a fantastic experience to work so closely with the team and be involved in medical management from diagnosis to early rehabilitation. It was a great feeling to be respected for our high level of anatomical knowledge and clinical opinions. It was a mutual relationship, we learnt things from each other. It has changed my mentality toward surgeons, I am no lonkger afraid to ask questions and enquire into medical management options. My attitude has change in that all health professionals can learn from each other, two way relationships.