(The front door to the clinic. Isn’t it cute?)
It’s week one of my first clinical affiliation and I’ve already had two days off. I wasn’t sure how I’d enjoy working three 14-hour days a week, but 2 days in, it’s going really well.
Backing up for a minute, I ended eight weeks of classes for the fall semester last Thursday, and on Monday began a full-time eight-week internship at an outpatient orthopedic clinic in the greater New York City area. During this time period, my classmates and I are spread out at different sites gaining hands-on experience to compliment all that we’ve learned in the classroom and studied at home. We have no homework besides presenting an in-service research presentation at the end of our affiliations, and filling out progress reports at the half-way point and end. We’re all in different settings, each working with one physical therapist, who is our Clinical Instructor (CI). The goal for the end of the eight weeks is to become independent physical therapists 10-25% of the time treating patients. The goal progresses for the three additional affiliations we’ll have for the next year-and-a-half when we’re not in class until we graduate.
Most of my nervousness at being sent off to treat real patients was alleviated by a field trip to another outpatient setting during the fall semester, as well as a trip to visit my affiliation site before I began working there. Any additional nerves were killed once I realized how much the clinic was set on easing me into my new role.
I spent the first day shadowing the physical therapy aides, as do all new interns, so that I could get a sense of how the clinic runs and be able to meet all the patients. This part was crucial since the place takes great pride in getting to know every single patient, whether they are part of your caseload or not. At least 20 patients told me what a great place I was in, which was very comforting. Although it was a long day, it seemed to fly by as I got to know the therapists and patients, and learned all about the clinic. [For privacy reasons, I won’t give any identifying details about the clinic or patients].
On my second day, I continued to get to know the patients, but also graduated to more PT-related activities. I set up patients with ultrasound, stim and laser (which was new to me) and assisted with therapeutic exercises. Although it was a little intimidating to begin performing these activities on real patients, the rate at which I’m beginning and the trust the patients and therapists have in me, has given me confidence. It’s great to know that I’m playing a small role in healing these patients, and that as my internship progresses, I’ll be playing an even larger role. I’m excited to be able to follow patients throughout their care, and see how they progress. So far, there haven’t been any new patients, so I have yet to perform an evaluation or begin creating a plan of care. In the next few weeks, however, I should have the opportunity to do these things and more, as my role continues to expand. I’m very eager to see what’s ahead!