Physical Therapist in Transition

Burning the Candle at Both Ends

2013-05-16T20:47:00Z

As the dust begins to settle from separating one department into two, this extended break from school allows me to get a grasp on what being a manager really entails in an outpatient rehabilitation facility. From balancing payroll to juggling hours in three disciplines to staying productive, to completing performance appraisals and performing chart reviews, I quickly realize why I absorb only five hours of sleep each night. Just like other leaders around me, I thrive on being able to mentor, support...(read more)

In Preparation for the DPT

2013-05-09T21:01:00Z

Amazing what can happen in one week. In a major healthcare system of a large metropolitan area surrounded by water, we've successfully accomplished separating pediatric from adult rehabilitation in preparation for our growth as the Rehabilitation Institute of South Florida. Every day of this mission has started at 5 a.m. with communication with one of my best friends, the leader of this department (in addition to being the leader of several other departments). When I look back to the time we met...(read more)

Good Timing

2013-05-02T16:12:00Z

A short break between semesters has proven to come at the best time for me. Today brings with it a major change in my facility, where one department is becoming two. Employees have been preparing for months for this change, with hopes that everything goes smoothly. In a large department where things don't always go smoothly on a regular day, we have great expectations that the preparation will pay off and a smooth transition will occur. Starting today (and hopefully for only the next week), we'll...(read more)

Light at the End of the Tunnel

2013-04-25T21:21:00Z

Registration for the final two courses has taken place. Mental, physical and emotional preparation is next on my agenda. Although I have a pretty good idea about what my case report will be, I often question myself and my ability to develop a doctoral-level document capable of being published. The exhaustive literature search has been literally exhausting. Many nights my bedtime story has been "How to Write a Case Report." I follow the subject of my case report on Facebook. She has accomplished so...(read more)

Safety Zone

2013-04-18T19:32:00Z

A most disturbing week has occurred, once again, for the citizens of our country. As I look forward to starting a new semester once again and booking a flight to attend a weekend course for the final session in the quest for my DPT, I'm shaken by the latest attack on our fellow citizens. Although acts of terrorism occur all over the world and throughout history, this latest attack brings certain thoughts to my mind about our profession. Physical therapists continue to be in demand, especially during...(read more)

Organized Chaos

2013-04-11T19:39:00Z

As we move toward the formation of a major rehabilitation provider in the region, meetings, conference calls and webinars fill my schedule. My new role is quickly becoming a challenge, in that therapists are being designated as working for the adult hospital, while others for the children's hospital. Still yet, there are those who work for both facilities, which only confuses the situation with documentation and billing. As a major provider of rehabilitative services, we will be converting to paperless...(read more)

Case Report Preparation

2013-04-04T18:08:00Z

After a long three-day weekend over the holiday, I was surprised to find in my school email in-box a quick response to the second submission of my abstract. I was sure to have a response that I completed the class successfully with this project. However, I quickly realized that I have more work to do in order to receive a passing grade in this first part of a two-part class. Thankfully, each time the abstract returns to me, if comes with thought-provoking suggestions about how to improve the content....(read more)

Graduation Day

2013-03-29T16:54:00Z

A big year is in the making. I've successfully completed training to become a Guardian Ad Litem. The next step is to wait for a case to be assigned to me. Quite often, friends and family question me about how I'll manage the guardianship of a minor or minors while completing my doctorate. Quite honestly, I'm not sure. What I do realize is that all things are possible, and as long as I take care of myself and get enough sleep, everything should be accomplished. Besides graduating from the Guardian...(read more)

Making Progress

2013-03-22T15:32:00Z

All aspects of this busy schedule are coming together, finally, with much loss of sleep, sweat and tears. Attending classes for the Guardian Ad Litem program after work twice a week, with one more week to go, I'm determined now more than ever that this will keep me focused on an issue that's so important to me. After this evening, I'll attend only two more classes in preparation for my certification to become a voice for neglected and abused children in my community. Yesterday morning I had a "moment"...(read more)

Blended Lifestyle

2013-03-14T18:39:00Z

One thing most people think of my schedule is that I have a very well-balanced work and personal life. Unfortunately, this isn't true. When I think of balance, I think of a controlled environment, even as obstacles get in the way. This is definitely not the case with me. Last week I realized that the week I'm in now would be one of the busiest I've ever had. On the schedule is a list of duties: work, research, Guardian Ad Litem classes after work (making my days last 13 hours long, but only two days...(read more)

Abstract Formation

2013-03-08T19:40:00Z

The formation of an abstract that's limited to 150 words is quite challenging, especially after performing an exhaustive literature search on several aspects of my patient case report. I'd even refer to the task as exhaustive, and I haven't even started writing the full body of the report. This is surely the most challenging assignment I've encountered on my quest for my DPT. I believe I felt the same way during "Evidence-Based Clinical Practice," which seems like a lifetime ago. Interestingly enough,...(read more)

Two Options

2013-02-28T22:31:00Z

Numerous case reports and journal articles later, I'm contemplating two separate case reports for my final project in the quest for my DPT. The position I'm in now is trying to decide between two trauma patients and their complicated surgical procedures, and the interesting approach taken to treat them. A while ago I had no idea what case to report on, and now that I've read (several times, cover to cover) a book on how to write a case report, I'm torn between two amazing case studies to present....(read more)

Adding to my Plate

2013-02-21T20:58:00Z

Literature reviews, reading case reports, contemplating how to approach this case study, gathering sources for a case report. A hectic week has kept me on my toes, as I work in an extremely busy outpatient department and juggle my school responsibilities, family and what's left of my "social life." This is the time of year when many fundraising events are going on for my healthcare system, since we're a publicly funded hospital that relies on the generosity of our employees and community, as well...(read more)

Sweet Procrastination

2013-02-14T23:26:00Z

As the acuity of my vision improves in this new role of manager, I realize my attention has been drawn only toward work and home. Successfully completing a final exam in school has left me relieved, but perhaps a little too relaxed in regard to working on the abstract for my case report. I've noticed that when some assignment is due, if I don't concentrate on it for at least two days, then I'll be working on it at the last minute. I'll find many other things to do, such as paint the pool deck, clean...(read more)

Getting Ahead of Myself

2013-02-07T22:15:00Z

Isn't it interesting how things fall into place? I'm well into week two of my new position, and meeting many new people. I'm learning names, disciplines and experience levels of those who now surround me. Interestingly enough, I'm already familiar with one PT who has been a friend on Facebook for some time, for the simple reason that PT is a small world and we live in the same area. Now we work together too. Upon discussing a case with him, in which he used phenomenal differential diagnosis skills,...(read more)