Clinical Education
A couple weeks ago I evaluated a 78 year old male who was 1 week post TKA, with a history of dementia, a stroke with lasting aphasia, and he was hard of hearing. His wife was also admitted to the SNF recovering from pneumonia. The first day I saw “Mr.… read more
In A Student’s Words… By Megan I am at an outpatient clinic for my last clinical rotation and I really enjoy working with these types of patients! In this type of setting, we see patients many times over the course of several weeks. Now in my eighth week, I have… read more
Parkinson’s Disease Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive degenerative disease that affects the central nervous system. This disease causes patients to have difficulty moving their body during activities such as walking and transferring, and can cause tremors that can affect reaching and grasping. Patients with PD are given medication that… read more
This is my final week of my last Fieldwork. This fieldwork has helped define my interests a little more than past rotations. On this week, I find myself considering becoming a pediatric occupational therapist and specializing in Sensory Integration (SI). I remember in my first semester of school thinking I’d… read more
Learning To Be Creative with Therapy: My last rotation was at an outpatient clinic. In that setting, I worked with people of all ages and abilities. Advancing and expanding an exercise treatment program was easy because most patients were able to achieve a high functional level and by the end… read more
It just hit me this past weekend that I only have four weeks left to be in a clinic with a supervisor and learn all that I can before being out on my own. I am super excited to graduate in May, but the thought also scares me a little… read more
Working with Staff Besides being really nervous on the day of a clinical rotation, I also get very nervous and anxious about working with new staff. I become nervous because I know how difficult it can be to work with a new group of professionals. Everybody has their own unique… read more
This rotation is proving to be a very beneficial one. Not only am I learning a lot about sensory integration therapy, but I am also gaining experience in advocating for people with developmental disabilities. We treat clients who rely on many people to provide their basic needs. Our goal is… read more
This work week turned out to be very short due to Snowpocalypse 2011 in Oklahoma. I spent my new found free time researching potential employers, filling out job applications, and studying to take the PEAT, a practice test for the state boards. Every day I tell patients I will graduate… read more
Why did you get into physical therapy? I am asked this question all the time from friends, family, and patients. Some students know what they want to do from childhood and some decide just before applying to PT school. I didn’t realize I was so passionate about physical therapy until… read more
