PT Clinic Reflection Journal

P: In clinic this week I had two patients that I have worked with previously. I led the first treatment and the 1^st year student led the second treatment. I practiced stretches and e stim today. The stretches included hip flexor, hamstring contract relax, pec, and gastroc. I also performed TENS to the patient’s upper traps.

O: I observed the 1^st year student treat our second patient. She worked on increasing knee range of motion with the exercise bike, nustep, wall slides, and prolonged hamstring stretch. She worked on increasing quad strength with the leg press. She also applied a cold pack.

L: I learned how to use the electronic documentation better. Last week was my first time using the computer to document. The second time around I think sank in better for me and I know feel more comfortable using it.

K: I already knew how to perform all the skills I practiced today since I have worked with these two patients multiple times. I got to practice TENS in the clinic for the first time which really helps in learning to apply this modality.

A: I think the day went really well. It was nice way to end the semester. I was impressed with my 1^st year and how well she did leading the second treatment. I think she is ready to be on her own next semester. I feel comfortable with what I practiced in the clinic today and am looking forward to going out on clinicals.

12/5/07

P: Over the semester I have practiced many skills and worked with people with many different diagnoses. I have done stretches to many parts of the body, strengthening,    range of motion, ultrasound, balance, coordination, proprioception, massage, e-stim (TENS and interferential), working with equipment in the wellness center, tilt table, transfers, vital signs, facilitation and inhibition techniques, and pediatrics. I have also gotten the chance to work with people with many different diagnoses including poor posture, MS, ACL reconstruction, total knee replacement, traumatic brain injury, anoxia and CVA. I practiced a wide range of skills with many different people.   

O: Over the semester I have also observed many things. I observed and helped out PT students during their treatments. I have also watched and helped out other second year students during their treatments where they were practicing many of the same skills I talked about above. I also got to observe the 1^st year students develop from hardly knowing anything to leading a treatment with help.

L: I learned a lot this semester. I learned how to be more effective when treating neural patient. This semester we learned techniques in classes on how to treat neural patients.  I was able to take what I learned in class and apply it in treatments in the clinic. I also learned how to perform electrical stimulation. I was fortunate enough to use a couple types of electrical stimulation on patients in clinic. In addition, I work with my first pediatric patient for two treatments. I learned how difficult it can be and also good techniques to use to keep a child’s attention and get them to comply with the treatment. I had my first computerized patient, so I got to learn how to document on the computer. I became more affective in teaching other through working with different 1^st years and having to work on different needs with each one.

K: I already knew how to do many of the skills I practiced in clinic this semester. I got to take what I already knew and became more effective in treating patients by listening to instructor’s feedback and practicing the skills over and over. Having the first years there to teach and observe practicing the skills they have learned gave me a refresher on past learned skills.

A: This semester in clinic overall went well. I learned a lot and became more effective when treating patients. One thing this semester I really improved in was my communication with the PT students. Last year it seemed I never took the opportunity to really interact with them. This semester I had open communication with my PT student. I talked to the SPT at least once every clinic day. Another area I improved in is my documentation. I really focused this semester on wording things right and now feel comfortable with my documentation. It really helped working with the 1^st year students and getting feedback from the instructor. In addition to learning new skills and using them in the clinic, I got to become better using my past learned skills. The ending of clinic is bitter sweet, it is sad that my time in the LSC clinic has come to an end and I will really miss the patients, but I am ready for new experiences. I am really nervous and scared for clinicals, but I am looking forward to become a better PTA.