For my first placement this year I will be
at a musculoskeletal clinic. I am unsure whether I will be in an outpatient or
in-patient setting but I have spoken to other students regarding the
differences and the only major difference seems to be the acuteness of the
injury/surgery. The facility also sent through what subjects should be reviewed
prior to starting the placement, which basically covers everything we have
learnt in the last three years.
My major concern starting a 4th
year placement is that the bar has been raised. The expectations from the
supervisor, other physiotherapists and the medical staff will be much higher. This
is my first placement at a musculoskeletal setting and although I feel nervous
and unsure of the pace required, I am looking forward to applying the many
years of anatomy, biomechanics, pathophysiology and joint/muscle testing and
rehab that we have covered in the course. I have always tried to place high
expectations on myself and am definitely looking forward to the challenge. I
will take on all constructive criticism that is offered and make the required
changes.
In preparation for this placement I have
been reviewing my anatomy notes as well as going over and practicing the
neural, muscle and joint tests from our musculoskeletal courses. I have read
through my electrotherapy notes and I have studied the subjective questioning
sheets and treatment algorithms for the spine, upper limb and lower limb. I am
expecting that I will have a slow start with the nerves and new environment but
I feel that the years of OSCA’s and clinical setting in which our classes are
conducted should make the process of settling in a little easier. I have also
practiced some visualization techniques (as suggested by numerous lecturers) of
being successful on my first week of placement. This has provided me with some
confidence and a little less self-consciousness allowing me more headspace to
focus on the needs of the facility and the patient. I am a good
physiotherapist…hummmm….I will do well on placement…hmmmm.
One of my major hurdles will once again be
time management. Juggling family life, travel, study and work will once again
prove an enormous challenge. Using the weekend to prepare for the week ahead,
and the night before to prepare for the next day has been the winning formula in
the past and will once again be the strategy of choice. Unexpected events can
still come up, for these we have the clinical mobile. Losing the car keys will
obviously not be acceptable. Spare keys…cut.
I will once again have a bag full of books
for covering any down time but more importantly I will have a notebook to jot
down the important tips, insights and events to reflect on. My STARES entries
proved to be more difficult than I anticipated last placement due to poor
preparation. If things are put off until the last minute that minute will be
missed. Having key points jotted in a note book, transcribing to a word
document at the end of every day, and then typed up on the weekend should help
to overcome any late or missed posts.
I feel slightly daunted by the amount of
knowledge required for the upcoming placement but I know that if I stay on top
of the workload and study, I feel the past three years has prepared me to take
on any area in the physiotherapy realm.
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