As a future health professional it is vital to be aware of where one will fit into the multi-professional team within the health care system, what one has to offer as a health professional within the comprehensive care model of Primary Health Care and be reflective of the journey to your future career. Therefore, in the following essay, I will be focussing on a brief definition of comprehensive care and the role a physiotherapist plays in the model. I will also express the reflective thoughts and feelings of a practicing physiotherapist regarding these points as well as my personal reflections and experiences as a developing health professional.
COMPREHENSIVE CARE
In 1978, the World Health Organization finalised The Alma Alta Declaration
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Physiotherapy is the study of the movement and function of the human anatomy and the relationship between the persons’ health and wellbeing (Dhrs.uct.ac.za, 2015). A physiotherapist’s speciality is treating “individuals across the life-span who have illness, injury or disability affecting the neuro-musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, vascular, and neurological systems” (Ontario Physiotherapy Association, 2015:3). A physiotherapist’s main goal is for their patient to receive the highest level of independence by educating patients how to “prevent reoccurring injuries” that disrupt their daily routine (Ontario Physiotherapy Association, 2015:3). Physiotherapists would deal with “long term ailments” (Zweigenthal et al., 2009:235) that cannot simply be treated with the dosage of medication but with the dedication from both the physiotherapist and patient in the appointed interactive physical sessions, a treatment plan can be formulated to guarantee the most efficient road to …show more content…
According to Zweigenthal et al. (2009:238), rehabilitation is the type of care given to patients with long term complications where health professionals enhance human functioning or assist with patients whose daily tasks are limited due to their bodily or mental impairment. It is common to think that rehabilitation only focuses on the patient’s physical wellbeing but the other main aspect of rehabilitation is helping the patient adjust to their environment with their health related impairment. When deciding that physiotherapy was my choice of study, I wanted to experience a long term relationship with my patients that rehabilitation professions could offer. Physiotherapy is such a rewarding profession, as you share the patient’s journey to recovery through many follow up sessions. In the future I fear that I may struggle to draw that professional line and I will constantly remind myself not to get too comfortable with my patients. I don’t think that will be too much of a concern once I’m a practicing physiotherapist as Mrs X shared that she had a similar fear in first year. Mrs X reassured me that through the years of studying and gaining experience my emotions will mature and my fear will be less of a
I have developed a newfound confidence in myself that kills and professional competency. My interactions with patients and assertiveness in myself and to carry out a professional discussion and interventions. enhanced not only his communicative skills but as well as immediate reporting, analytical skills and extensive knowledge of the internal and external workplace. Further, becoming involved with committees helped him understand policy and the external situation, as well as government, councils, and regulation, and the way in which to administer the protocols around the plant and people. I have developed a successful rapport with patients, staff and external personnel. I once carried this apprehension and nervousness in patient interactions,
While not many acute injuries, or injuries that are associated with a traumatic event can be prevented, nearly all overuse injuries can be! Nevertheless, sports medicine physicians receive training to treat any kind of injury; acute, chronic, overuses or even psychogenic pain. Sports medicine dates back to Susruta of India who was the first “recorded” physician to prescribe moderate daily exercise around 600 B.C. (Tipton). Since then, professionals have redesigned and renovated the techniques and equipment used in this field. Sports medicine physicians go through years of education and training in order to effectively treat and interact with patients, as well as thrive in any workplace they are needed.
Main, R., Dunn, N., & Kendall, K., (2007). ‘Crossing professional boundaries’: barriers to the integration of nurse practitioners in primary care. Education for Primary Care, 18, 480 – 487. Mundinger, M., (1994).
Physical therapy treatment ranges from short-term to long term treatment depending on the severity of the injury. “A career as a physical therapist requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy, and then passing the certification exam” (Santiago). Physical therapy treatment takes an integrative approach with conventional medicine, but not with other forms of alternative treatment. As a result, the Physical Therapy program will need to be revised to include classes on Naturopathic, Functional, Holistic, Complementary, and other alternative modes of treatment so future Physical Therapists can be well educated on contradictory and complimentary treatments. There is also the potential for physical therapists to combine treatment with other alternative methods under an Integrative Medicine practice model, so incorporating additional training into the Physical Therapy Degree program will give future physical therapists the education needed to react to an Integrative Medicine
People have created a hectic and busy world, that includes careers and daily activities that require physical activity. While attempting to attain the required physical conditioning, people often take chances with their personal health as they try to stretch their physical limits. Sometimes, people can surpass their current limits and form new boundaries; however, other times people are not so fortunate. These unfortunate times often lead to injury, including workplace accidents, sporting incidents, disease afflictions, as well as others; any or all of which could bring about the need of rehabilitation services. Many of these require physical therapy, which includes assisting injured or otherwise impaired patients as they recover to their pre-injury status or to recover as much as is physically possible. The field of physical therapy is a choice career for those who enjoy helping people recover from injury, and the following text will provide reason for choosing this profession.
While being able to financially support myself one day still motivated me, I began to appreciate the importance of physical independence as well. I never want to be physically limited and unable to do the things that make me happy, such as snowboarding or kayaking, and I also want to remain independent into old age. This reinforced my desire to pursue physical therapy because I want the opportunity to help others achieve this same kind of freedom that will improve their quality of life. A student and professional must be invested in the patients and be able to empathize with them. Having these abilities will contribute to creating more effective treatment plans and achieving better treatment
Comprehensive care focuses on healing all parts of the individual and not just the physical part. Holistic nurses practice comprehensive care in various ways, one example is providing interventions. Recine (2015) states that her forgiveness interventions have been shown to be “Good for our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing” (p. 161). This kind of comprehensive care will yield better results than traditional treatment such as prescription medicine because it is encompassing everything about that person, and what makes them who they. Comprehensive care dresses multiple aspects which can further explain why the patient is feeling a certain way or is not healing. Comprehensive care is becoming more attractive to patients because it is a more personal method of treatment, and can effectively address ways to approve their life with whatever their problem is that they are trying to treat.
The article I chose discusses the continual change in the roles of nurses. The article also poses a concept that nursing now is not based on caring, but medicine. “By accepting continual changes to the role of the nurse, the core function of nursing has become obscured and, despite assuming medical tasks, the occupation continues to be seen in terms of a role that is subordinate to and dependent on medicine.” (Iley 2004) Nurses are taking a more professional role, and more tasks are being delegated to assertive personnel. Therefore, with all these changes occurring, the role of the enrolled nurse is unclear. “Previously, having two levels of qualified nurse in the United Kingdom had been seen as problematic for health service managers and nurses themselves, and the ending of enrolled nurse programs in 1992 helped to solve this problem.” (2004) The study in this article gathered the characteristics of enrolled nurses and differentiated the groups converting to registered nurses, groups in the process of conversion, and groups interested or not interested in conversion. This study reveals the situation of enrolled nurses in context of continuing towards the professionalization of nursing. “The data from this study support the possibility that the role of nurses as direct caregivers is seen as a positive dimension of the work they undertake.” (2004) The findings imply that nurses need to get back to being caregivers, instead of concentrating on obtaining professional status in medicine.
“Excuse me my name is Susan I was coming in today to see Jerrick Turner for a physical therapy session do you know where I can find him? Yes right this way ma’am, so what brings you in today, a knee injury or something of the sort? Yes I’ve been having severe pain in both of knees and I was told by my primary care doctor to come to Jerrick he is a Professional in this area and can help me. Hello there Susan its very nice to meet you how can I help? Physical therapy is the treatment of injury, disease, deformity in the body and is a way to help a person instead of medicine or surgery; furthermore, it takes
When I was 15, my grandmother suffered from a severe stroke and was advised to go to a rehabilitation center. At that time I had not ever heard of the profession called occupational therapy. Upon visiting my grandmother, I had the opportunity to witness several health care professionals working together to help rehabilitate her. I have always wanted to engage in a career in which I could attribute to helping people, and at first I thought physical therapy would best compliment my natural abilities but then I encountered the occupational therapist. So as I watched her work with my grandmother diligently I realized that I had found exactly what I was looking for.
The occupation of physical therapy has been around for centuries. Throughout time it has evolved greatly as a medical practice and an area of study. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2012, there were 204,200 physical therapists employed throughout the United States of America.
I have been exposed to the medical field my whole life. My Mom was a nurse and I would love to listen to the stories she told about her time in the hospital. If anybody asked me at the age of five what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would say “a nurse like my mom.” A few years later I decided I wanted to be a doctor from the few times I got to watch the television show “ER”. The beginning of my interest in physical therapy was when I met my fourth grade pen pal, Elmo, at a nursing home. Elmo had muscular dystrophy and only retained control of his right arm and pinky which allowed him to manouver his wheelchair. During one visit where we got to spend the whole day with our pals, the physical therapist at the nursing home came to see Elmo. I was allowed to stay and I remember thinking it was so cool that there was one person to help Elmo retain the little muscle tone and mobility he had left. In sixth grade, my class went to the hospital to sing Christmas caroles and I remember the coolest place being the physical therapy room. I thought it was amazing how patients were learning to walk again or throw a ball.
through the Eyes of a Participant Observer." Chiropractic & Manual Therapies. Vol. 20, No. 1, 19 Jan. 2012, p. 1. EBSCOhost. 2017 October 25.
During my residency, I had the opportunity to work with the Rheumatology Rehabilitation team at the University of Alberta (U of A). I met passionate mentors in physical and occupational therapy dedicated to helping arthritis patients preserve and optimize joint function. There was one man with rheumatoid arthritis attending the program who said the most important learning point he wanted me to take away was how much his rheumatologist and the rehab team had changed his life. Prior to starting biologic therapy, he was completely debilitated in his day-to-day life and unable to perform simple activities such as picking up his young children. He now found himself not only with disease control, but also quality of life. I value the multidisciplinary approach in rheumatology and emphasis on treating the “whole” patient, rather than a single organ
Medical study is a combination of clinical experience and scientific research, which requires proof and evidence. These two components can help physiotherapists with diagnosis, provide treatments for patients and making clinical decision. However, what are the ways for individuals to testify the effectiveness of these methods and treatments? Is there scientific evidence proving the information is correct and up to date? How helpful and appropriate are these methods and treatments to the patients? Hence evidence-based practice is necessary. It has a strong impact in physiotherapy, to ensure researches are more focused and relevant to physiotherapists and as a guiding principle to practice and treatment of patients.