In A Student’s Words… By Megan
I am now in the last week of my final clinical rotation. Time sure does fly by when you are having fun! I love being in the clinic so much more than being in class, although we all know we must first learn. In the clinic we actually get to take what we have learned, apply it to actual patients, and see how they progress with the treatment we have prescribed. When we have worked with patients for so long, we establish relationships with each patient. Eventually, however, our clinicals must end. I hate saying goodbye, and this week is full of them.
When you work with patients in a personal setting such as therapy, you establish a very unique relationship with each and every patient. You work with a patient from initial evaluation, through multiple treatments, and you get used to helping this person achieve their goals each week. You do all in your power to help this person, and then one week you just have to leave because your clinical is up! I find it difficult to leave patients mid-treatment, with goals left unaccomplished and not actually seeing the patient return to normal. After past clinical rotations, I’ve had to re-visit the clinic to catch up on the progress of my former patients, just so I know how they did. Sometimes you are lucky enough to see the patients “graduate” and achieve their goals, but we leave most patients behind. I look forward to graduating and being a physical therapist, so I can see each patient from start to end.
Like I said, I hate goodbyes, but I am very ready to say goodbye to this week so they will all be over!
- Megan, University of Oklahoma DPT 2011
