Observation Hours

[dmoney26]

I have been doing some observation hours at a sports clinic, and I've gone there four times now, but I don't really know what I'm suppose to do when there 🙁. I ask questions and take notes but for the most part I just sit there. What am I suppose to do? Is it to early to ask if I could get involved like some hand on experience?

 

[jchen707]

um, observation hours don't entail hands on stuff bc i'm assuming you don't have your license.... there are liability issues since you technically don't know what you're doing, so you basically aren't there to get hands on experience. BTW i'm assuming you are doing observation hours for the pre reqs of the DPT programs

 

[NeophyteParkour]

Liability reasons will prevent you from doing any hands-on stuff. Some places may let you do hands-on stuff anyway, but don't expect them to let you do that, because a lot of places won't (especially hospitals).

That being said, there is much to be learned even in an observational experience. After asking a patient if they're okay with, check out the PT's chart. It will give you an idea of how the injury happened and what the PT is doing to correct the problem. The familiarization with how this whole process works does help a lot. Or you can simply ask a patient about their history.