FINAL ENTRY

Ok, one more blog. Couldnt stay away.

1.
I really enjoyed this prac in hindsight. I found that it was very beneficial to me to have a hospital setting as my first prac because in a way theyre a little more leniant on you because you're a second year, so I had a chance to develop basic knowledge of how a hospital works and was exposed to surprisingly quite a few conditions and orthopaedics (not just #NOFs) I found it quite rewarding following pt's through their rehab and then finally discharging them or seeing them walk for the first time in 5-6weeks. I also got a bit of hydro experience which was fun and educational. One thing that was really reinforced was the idea of a multidisciplinary team and the hollistic approach to a patient, which can only be hammered into us so much at uni- but it all makes sense when its applied practically.

2.
- Orthopaedic physio protocols
- Modifying treatment for conditions ie. age, dementia
- AMbulation and gait prescription and progression
- creating exercise programs for different conditions
- reading orthopaedic x-rays
- verbal hand overs
- hydrotherapy
- chest physio
- taking obs.
-SOAPIERS!
- professionalism
- pt repall and interaction
- being a team player (in the multi displinary team)
- Medications
- Variety of common conditions mainly associated with old age
- Outcome measures - balance and mobility

ive just realised it said list the most important, but they're probably all important skills anyway.

week 5. post 3.

My last blog..
Ok so to wrap up the blogs I had a patient today who also didnt speak much english who was russian and had quite severe dementia. When I did my subjective on her anything i asked her I recieved a very stern and final "no" or a "whats this to you, none of your business". It didnt matter how i rephrased things or asked she was very final and I think quite distressed because of the new surroundings and that she hadnt comprehended that she'd hurt her hip. In the end i had to give up and plan to come back later, I found that sometimes you cant win and you've got to step back and let them be, and calm down then try again later. SO thats the last of my blogs if you guys want to follow up any of my experiences or want some advice come see me.

week 5 post 2.

Today I had a newly admitted patient, who doesnt speak any english and is 99 yo. wow. Luckily the daughter was there too but she spoke quite shady english. I had to use good visual cues to help the patient understand what I wanted her to do, I was also a little concerned that the daughter would translate something completely different back to the patient. Anyway, we got the patient up and walking eventually and suprisingly she did very well despite her age! The daughter was constantly chattering away to her so was little distracting. I learnt the need to be very simple and literal with your visual and verbal cues.

week 5 home stretch post 1

Hi. Over the w/e one our pts went downhill and developed a chest infection and UTI and a handful of other things which werent good, and on top of that he has quite severe dementia. I did some chets physio on him and found it quite difficult to complete, one because he was very drowsy and also because he couldnt comprehend instructions like to take deep breaths although he kept saying "yes....ok" "beg yours, yes...alright". Anyway had a listen and there were added breath sounds in his bases with a bit of a crackle and wheeze. I also attempted an ACBT however he wasnt able to comprehend to take normal breaths then deep then huff. I found the experience good, and realised sometimes no matter how simply you put it or rephrase it things like taking deep breaths on command are unachievable.

week 4. post 3

This morning we went down to the ortho ward and did a first day stand with a patient. I found it very interesting because I hadn't seen one yet, and found it tricky negotiating all the cords and wires escpecially the catheter that you forget is attached to them. I found you need to take your time and ensure the patient isn;t going to get tangled or anything will pull out, I also learnt the importance of first day stands and the necessity to get the patient up and moving regardless of their excuses and stubborness. I found that if a patient tells me theyre too tired or too sore I initially decide to leave them but I think im slowly becoming more vigilant and cracking the whip and that the patient isn;t your biggest fan especially during the acute stages when theyre usually in alot of pain and can be confused and weary from meds and anaesthetics etc.

week 4. post 2.

At the ward round meeting today Aaron (physio student aaron) and I had to present the physio and OT side of the patients care (OT because the OT lady was at another meeting). I really enjoyed it and learnt that because it's a multidisciplinary team everyone has theyre own points to make and you need to speak up and get in there quick to get your point across, I found it a bit daunting when the room goes silent and theyre all looking at you expecting you know what you're takling about and when they ask questions. I think I handled it reasonably well and found you just need to be confident and trust what you've got written down is correct.

week 4. post 1

Today as I was walking down the corridor a lady called out from her room and a situation presented. she felt like she was slipping out of her chair and her foot was propped up on a leg rest, she had little strength to straighten herself up and was obese. So i went in to help her and realised i couldn;t on my own, The nurses around came to help and first tried moving her with her help but was no good so I decided to use the sheet that was covereing the cushion she was sitting on like a slidesheet so i called the shots and it worked and she was happy sittng upright in no time. I think i did well with taking control of the sitch because at one stage there were too many cooks in the kitchen and the patient was becoming panicked. next time i know to get help or even put a better suited pillow there to prevent it from happening in the ifrst place.