a bit bored during observations...any suggestions?

[mrfox1]

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hey all,

so, i've been considering a career in PT and been observing at a outpatient facility. However, I find the experience rather, well, boring. It seems like most people have either knee, shoulder or back problems and the therapy looks quite similar in each case.

is every type of PT like this? or are their some specialties that involves more variety in treatments?

thanks for your responses!

 

[Azimuthal]

Have you spoken with your PT about their direction of care? Or maybe volunteer at a different setting? Aspects of PT that I enjoy are problem solving and critical thinking. Why is said treatment being performed? What are the underlying causes? How can treatment be set up differently to add variety?

Also, how much interaction are you having during assessments and treatments? Does your PT introduce you to the patient and ask if its okay for you to be involved in directly observing their care? I'm not saying you do, but I've noticed that many observers just observe from a distance and change out linen after the patient leaves. That looks boring.

However if you've been proactive, and it still bores you, you may want to shadow other professions while you're at it. Good luck!

 

[rockstudy]

I agree with Azimuthal. It's all in what you make of it and finding ways to get involved. I've heard of students who are not even in the treatment room during their shadowing. Some reading books or messing around on their computer. Talk about Boring. This kind of thing shouldn't even count as shadowing hours.

 

[PTM90]

I had the WORST first obv. Experience . I sat in a spinny chair for 8 hours and we had one aide one PT and maybe two patients (mostly elderly) an hour. The PT was a woman who looked tired and didn't ask me a lot f questions, let alone answer mine thoroughly. However, I've been to other practices, companies (like Novacare) and have loved my experiences--it alllll depends where you go. It is important that if the pts embrace you to ask questions, ask them. Come in with questions--trust me its the only way you'll figure out if PT is a good fit. Just try 3 places before you ex out PT. in going to school in may after observing and working at 6 places, so glad I did 🙂

 

[_FNG_]

I have students observing all the time in the clinic and some are horrible and some are fun to have. The difference is in THEIR interactions with me. I try to be engaging and ask questions on par with their education level but sometimes patient care gets in the way. Take down time to look around, PT clinics are full of interesting doohickeys and random stuff. Try another clinic to see if its you or the clinic. And also maybe PT isn't for you?

 

[dizzy88]

Try to ask questions and get involved. It may also just be that the therapist isn't the best. Or outpatient ortho may just not be the setting for you. PT's work in acute care, neuro, pediatrics, geriatrics, pelvic floor, vestibular, etc. The more varied experiences you have the better, so I would suggest looking around for different facilities.

 

[lovepixie]

I agree with the post above. Observing definitely takes some effort from both parties. Show interest, ask questions....you will definitely meet dome interesting people. I started off observing and landed a PT side job. The therapists I work with are so passionate and willing to help but I understand all aren't like that.

I would suggest changing settings and networking as much as possible. There are so many things you can do with PT (outpatient, home health, pediatrics, school PT, orthopedics, acute, etc). Hope this helps ��

 

[speedosrock1053]

Try an acute, wound, or neuro rehab. As a therapist you can change up your routine a dozen times to get the same result.Keep a diary of everything you observe and go home and research what you've seen. Find alternative treatments that may help the patient and talk to the PT. Provide the forum with feedback if that doesn't fire you up!

 

[Shanna3206]

Outpatient can be as exciting as you want it to be. I have seen the PTs that do the same treatment on everyone, and how boring is that? I am sure it is a bit discouraging to see that on your first observation.

Best advice to volunteers- talk to everyone! On my last clinical rotation there were a number of volunteers... some were very active and involved with the patients, others sat in a chair the whole time and did schoolwork. It can be uncomfortable to just jump in when you are a volunteer, but it's really the best way to handle things, especially if you want a letter of recommendation! Make sure the PT and staff get to know you. I love it when students ask me questions, because I love PT and talking about any aspect of it is a blast! If you can't seem to make it work, you can always try a different setting or clinic.