Unlike the rest of my classmates, I started my rotations after my vacation (since I went to the AAPA conference). I'm not gonna lie, on the first day I was nervous like most people, there was so much that could have been expected of me, so many things I should have been able to do at a drop of a hat... luckily the residents I am working with are very nice and willing to teach me so many things. The unit I am on is a PM&R section where patients are admitted to do some physical therapy and occupational therapy before they go home.
Physical therapy vs. Occupational therapy
For many of my readers it may not be clear that there is a difference between these areas of rehabilitation so I decided to throw in a little bit about each.
Physical therapy (PT) primarily focuses on improving strength and mobility after a chronic illness or life event. The unit I am on has a PT gym right on the floor where patients attend sessions throughout the day. Their sessions can focus on weighted or non weighted exercises, walking, as well as range of motion (ROM) activities.
Occupational therapy (OT) is primarily focusing on patient "activities of daily living" known as ADL's. These include dressing, bathing, eating, transferring, and toileting. This gym is pretty awesome because patients can feel accomplished when they start to cook and make yummy foods for themselves, their families and the staff.
Exciting things....
There are many things within this week that I truly love doing. For example, most of these patients are in the last few days of their hospital stay which makes many interactions very positive. The resident I am working with is very friendly as well as knowledgeable. Her ability to explain conditions and procedures to patients is very clear and concise. At first I was noticing the generally positive interactions the resident was having with the patients but I could not put my finger on exactly what was so great about them. Finally, the resident said something that resonated with me, "its great seeing patients like you (referring to the patient in front of us) because we are catching you on the upswing of your journey here." With this in mind, I continue onto my second week at PM&R...
Physical therapy vs. Occupational therapy
For many of my readers it may not be clear that there is a difference between these areas of rehabilitation so I decided to throw in a little bit about each.
Physical therapy (PT) primarily focuses on improving strength and mobility after a chronic illness or life event. The unit I am on has a PT gym right on the floor where patients attend sessions throughout the day. Their sessions can focus on weighted or non weighted exercises, walking, as well as range of motion (ROM) activities.
Occupational therapy (OT) is primarily focusing on patient "activities of daily living" known as ADL's. These include dressing, bathing, eating, transferring, and toileting. This gym is pretty awesome because patients can feel accomplished when they start to cook and make yummy foods for themselves, their families and the staff.
Exciting things....
There are many things within this week that I truly love doing. For example, most of these patients are in the last few days of their hospital stay which makes many interactions very positive. The resident I am working with is very friendly as well as knowledgeable. Her ability to explain conditions and procedures to patients is very clear and concise. At first I was noticing the generally positive interactions the resident was having with the patients but I could not put my finger on exactly what was so great about them. Finally, the resident said something that resonated with me, "its great seeing patients like you (referring to the patient in front of us) because we are catching you on the upswing of your journey here." With this in mind, I continue onto my second week at PM&R...