Watch Out!
You know, after doing therapy for so many years sometimes you can get to the point that you feel like you've seen and done everything. Every patient is just another treatment. You almost get bored listening to yourself going through, once more time, the technique of using a reacher or sock aid for donning lower extremity clothing. Is this job burnout? Or is this experience?
Maybe this is just that your caseload is all too similar in need. If the majority of your caseload is orthopedics, or CVA's, or any other similar group of diagnoses, you may find yourself repeating the same words over and over again to every patient. You might use the same technique to train every patient with a specific piece of equipment. This kind of repetition can get boring for a therapist.
I have to admit that I feel bored doing treatments sometimes. Being a contractor and moving from facility to facility usually finds me treating similar diagnoses over and over. And I do find myself using the same words and techniques to educate a patient with a reacher for donning a pair of slacks. Some might call this job burnout; however I prefer to call it experience. I have found a technique that seems to work for many, and with little change I educate each patient in the use of the reacher (or sock aid, or exercises, etc.).
Yes, it can get boring for me at times. Sometimes I wonder what my patients think. Can they tell I'm repeating the same spiel I just got done completing with the last patient? Or is all of this new and interesting to them?
Well, this question was answered for me this past week. I've been working in a newer facility with a diverse caseload. Many of the patients in this facility are highly educated people from an established upscale part of town. And yes, I found myself repeating the same words and techniques that I've used many times to educate several of them in the use of adaptive equipment. Just as I began wondering if my treatments were boring, one of my patients expressed a simple thank you. And that's when it hit me. Even though I was bored of having done the same teaching thousands of times, it was still new learning for the patient. The patient had a need, I had an answer.
So, watch out. One of your patients, unknowing to them, and possibly with few words, may give you a new outlook on your "boring" treatments.
Until next time, hope all your thoughts are good,
Tim