The self-directed clinical observations required each student to observe a physical therapist in two different clinical settings. My hopes for my observations were to get an insight into facilities and setting I had never had the opportunity to observe. The experiences I obtained provided me with feedback patient demographic, client load, and diagnoses in these settings along with the opportunity to observe evaluations, reevaluations, treatments, and discharges. I saw the patient/client model utilized in the clinical setting along with professional patient interactions. I gained insight into the physical therapy field and showcased my knowledge up to this point. The first clinician I observed was Dr. Vrunda Takalkar at Spring Lake Rehabilitation …show more content…
The model is composed of examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, plan of care, and intervention. Since I did an observation in a nursing home facility and in an outpatient orthopedic clinic, I had the opportunity to see and compare how different settings utilize the model and all of it’s components. In initial evaluations at the nursing home the clinician gained most of the information for the examination from the patient’s chart and then continued their examination along with the evaluation with the patient/caregiver. This setting varied from the outpatient setting, where the clinician was more reliant on the patient communicating the information for the examination accurately with some assistance from sparing chart documents provided with the doctor referral. Nursing home evaluations are composed of mainly generalized test such as the sit to stand and the 3 min walk test for assessments and generalized muscles strength tests the evaluation is a general representation of what the patient’s current functional level is. In the outpatient setting you are able to do more specific MMT and ROM. Another difference I observed was the prognosis and plan of care for most nursing home patients the goals are targeted toward toileting and transfers to help prevent falls amongst patients and help the nursing staff. Whereas in the outpatient setting, goals are directed more towards the patients desires for therapy and returning them to their previous functional levels. Although the model may present itself differently depending on the setting it is a key component to our practice and ensuring our patients receive the best
During the interview, the Physical Therapist I conferred with was very thorough and straightforward in his responses to the questions that were given. I decided to interview another one of my mother’s fellow co-workers, Mr. Stephen Chan, considering his new experiences in the Physical Therapy field. I met with Mr. Stephen Chan at the Kaiser Permanente Outpatient Orthopedic Clinic that is located in Union City. The essential subject matters that we discussed consisted of his Major and Minor in college, the Residency Program that he takes part in, variations of attitudes, and advantages in the workforce.
The New England Journal of Medecine. A Controlled Trial of Inpatient and Outpatient Geriatric Evaluation and Management, 346, 905-912. Retrieved on November 8th, 2006 from http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/346/12/905
Long-term care (LTC) covers a wide range of clinical and social services for those who need assistance due to functional limitations. These limitations usually result from complications associated with age related chronic conditions, from disabilities related to birth defects, brain damage, or mental retardation in children; or from major illnesses or injuries suffered by adults (Shi L. & Singh D.A., 2011). LTC encompasses a variety of services including traditional clinical services, social services and housing. Unlike acute care, long-term care is much more complicated and has objectives that are much harder to measure. Acute care mainly focuses on returning patients to their previous functional level and is primarily provided by specialty providers. However, LTC mainly focuses on preventing the physical and mental deterioration of an individual and promoting social adjustments to suit the different stages of decline. In addition the providers of LTC are more diverse than those in acute care and is offered in both formal and informal settings, which include: hospitals, physicians, home care, adult day care, nursing home care, assisted living and even informal caregivers such as friends and family members. Long-term care services have been dominated by community based services, which include informal care (86%, about 10 to 11 million) and formal institutional care delivered in nursing facilities (14%, 1.6 million) (McCall, 2001). Of more than the 10 million Americans estimated to require LTC services, 58% are elderly and 42% are under the age of 65 (Shi L. & Singh D.A., 2011). The users of LTC are either frail elderly or disabled and because of the specific care needs of this population, the care varies based on an indiv...
Discharge planning nurses achieve this move through the collection and organisation of patient data from various health professionals who treated the patient prior to and during the hospital stay. This data is used to establish the patient’s ‘baseline’ or personal average health level, and which services are needed after discharge to return the patient to this level (Holand, 2016). This could be a transition into a nursing home or rehabilitation facility, the establishment of home nursing or carer services or physiotherapy, social work, dietetics and occupational therapy professionals through
For as long as I could remember, I always knew that I wanted to pursue a career in the field of physical therapy. Everything about the human body is captivating from the way it works to its powerful ability to heal itself. To many people, the field of physical therapy involves using exercise to aid in the restoration of physical function in patients, but to me, it means so much more. One reason as to why the field of physical therapy peeked my interests is because it combines my keen curiosity for the human body and all its fascinating capabilities, physical exercise and the compassion to help others. In recent years, several events occurred that have helped inspire me to become a physical therapist.
Morgan read over each patient assessment in their chart, as well as rounding on each patient daily to gather her own assessment. With all of the data, she came up with diagnosis that was required from her. Morgan stated the nursing diagnosis she most frequently uses is risk for falls. Goals are then set depending on individual needs. By collaborating with the interdisciplinary team in a therapeutic way, interventions are implemented to meet each patient’s needs. Evaluations are performed daily by case managers through interdisciplinary rounding and the goals that were made are assessed and any changed to the plan of care are made. Case managers will follow up with outside facilities that patients transfer to after a hospital admission to evaluate their progress. If a patient is readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge, a reevaluation is
Generally, in a LTC setting there is a director, assistant director, physician, pharmacist, nurses, medication aides, certified nursing assistants, case managers, social workers, and clergy. These individuals are tasked with providing a daily health plan for long-term care residents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This group could consist of less or more healthcare associates which is conditional and determined by the goal plan; moreover, the intended outcome not solely geared towards physical rehabilitation. In modern society, rehabilitation is targeted to restore mind, body and soul thereby promoting the overall health of the patient, or
During my undergraduate career, I have been heavily exposed to the field of physical medicine. I have worked as a PT technician for almost a year in an outpatient clinic, and have actively sought out other observation in other physical therapy settings. I have had the chance to observe PTs in acute care at the local hospital and a pediatric therapy center. Through these observation opportunities, I have a gained a great understanding of the role the physical therapist has within society as well as the benefits of participating in physical therapy. Physical therapists are allied health professionals who collaborate with other health care providers to assess, develop and organize a treatment plan to ultimately improve the quality of life for their patients. It is the duty of the physical therapists to create and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, alleviate pain, increase strength, and enhance or remedy incapacitating conditions resulting from injury or disease. It is crucial that physical therapists have the ability to properly educate individuals on their role and purpose in the patients’ continuum of care. PTs must also inform people about the great benefits of participating in physical therapy. A few benefits of physical therapy include: reducing or eliminating pain, recovering from an injury, improving mobility, avoiding surgery, and managing other health conditions. As a PT technician, I have had the opportunity to understand the purpose and value behind therapeutic modalities, prescribed exercises and manual therapy techniques. Consequently, I have had explain my knowledge of the function and benefits of certain therapy practices to patients. My experiences in different physical therapy settings have given me a strong comprehension of a physical therapists role in
With the help of my family and employers, I resign from my job and enrolled into the University of Houston-Clear Lake. They motivated me into taking the first step into my professional career in where I achieved my bachelor’s degree in Fitness & Human Performance. It was there that I was given the opportunity to do my internship at Proactive Physical Therapy (PPT) and see hands on what to expect in a PT setting. To be a part of someone’s rehabilitation journey, from the moment you first see them at their initial evaluation, to when they are graduating and being discharged, is an incredible feeling to be a part of. A Physical Therapist often encounter patients that are at the lowest point in their life in which they would have to teach, coach, listen and motivate the patient to rehabilitate them. When TW came in for PT, he was down on himself because he had
The summer before my junior year of college, I observed at two other physical therapy settings. The first was at a hospital observing with their inpatient physical therapist. Between my Athletic Training
For my first clinical observation, I was assigned to the trauma unit and it was not what I expected it to be. I thought the trauma unit would be fast pace and there would be nurses and doctors rushing everywhere, however, I did not see any of that. Instead, it was quite peaceful and this was probably because my clinical observation was from 10-12 p.m. When I met up with my senior nurse, she showed me a binder that contained all of her patients’ diagnoses, lab reports, treatments, and vital signs, which was a lot to take in because most of the terms she used, I had no idea what they were. After looking at the reports, she showed me a patient who had gunshot wounds on his back and abdomen. I could tell he was in a lot of pain by the tone of
Physical therapists play an integral role in health care. The vision statement for the physical therapy career is: “Transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience”. 1 Through my prior volunteer and work experiences, I discovered that physical therapy was the perfect career choice and vision for my future. As a current student and future physical therapist, I will play an important role for society and within the health care profession. The vision statement will serve as my reminder to always strive for more knowledge and feedback as a student, uphold pertinent values that will improve the practice of physical therapy, and to always provide quality care to all patients.
The internship that I acquired during the summer of 2010 at the Greenwood Sports and Industrial Rehabilitation Center (GSIRC), allowed me to gain an immeasurable amount of experience during my tenure at this facility. Within this period, the exposure to new concepts within the physical therapy industry allowed me to observe and work hands on with patients of all ages and disabilities that exposed me to various treatment plans and programs to restore client’s mobility. The essential Physical Education and Exercise Science (PEES) courses taken at Lander University were beneficial to my academic knowledgebase, which prepared me and developed me for the opportunity within the physical therapy discipline. Working as an intern taught me the responsibility of time management and working within a lean schedule that allow me to further develop my skill set. This reflection paper will illustrate my classroom experience, internship experience, and learning experience.
This week’s clinical experience has been unlike any other. I went onto the unit knowing that I needed to be more independent and found myself to be both scared and intimidated. However, having the patients I did made my first mother baby clinical an exciting experience. I was able to create connections between what I saw on the unit and the theory we learned in lectures. In addition, I was able to see tricks other nurses on the unit have when providing care, and where others went wrong. Being aware of this enabled me to see the areas of mother baby nursing I understood and areas I need to further research to become a better nurse.
Physical therapists are health care professionals that provide therapeutic services to their patients who have temporary or chronic physical conditions that were caused from injury or disease. Physical therapist also provided therapeutic services to patients after they have gone through surgery to help them gain back mobility and manage their pain. They can also work in preventive care by promoting healthy life styles and instructing individual patients or groups on preventing injury by using exercises that stretch and strengthen muscles. To help their patients try to recover they use massage techniques, wellness plans, and different types of equipment. When a physical therapist sees a patient for the very first time they must do an examination, evaluation, diagnosis, and then put together a physical intervention to start the rehabilitation process. They also work as a team with other health care professionals to help with their patients needs. Physical therapist can really make a difference in their patient’s lives by not only providing therapeutic services but also encouraging and motivating them so they can get better. The main goals of physical therapist are to help their patients retain or gain back lost physical mobility, eliminate or reduce pain, increase productivity and help promote a healthy life style so patients can have a better quality of life and become more independent.