Can Clinicians Change?

The real question is whether Holistic care is still relevant.  Would you change your views about techniques that have worked for decades in the East?  Do you see the relevancy in Maslow's heirarchy of needs although there is no evidence to base this on.  CPR's are only one of many ways to "see" what is going on with patients.  There are some tried and true techniques that are effective so don't discount them merely because of a new way you were taught.  

Voss, Bobath, et al had no research facility, no big school, little in documentation but they succeeded in showing us a way to treat patients in an effective manner.  As a student you have access to the internet, history of therapy, multiple medical documentation and yet you see a new method and discount the rest.  Are you able to take what was shown to you by what has worked, then use what you now learn, and formulate your own thoughts?

Good questions Lisa.  Regarding CPRs.  I think these are a relatively new concept for most PTs and many detest them saying it takes away from their clinical decision making skills.  However, I disagree.  The ability to recognize an opportunity to use a CPR and recognize when someone falls into that category takes a critical mind.  Being able to predict the liklihood of success is the key to competent practice.  One thing is for sure, there are a lot of PTs who practice "crapshoot" PT.  "This feels stiff, so let's mobilize it!!!"  When in reality, one singe piece of clinical assessment is rarely relevant.  CPRs force one to take a look at a broader piece of the puzzle.

As far as coninuing education, one thing in for sure, PTs tend to go to courses that fit either their:

A. Personal philosophies

B. Time/financial constraints

C. They are forced to go to a particular course.

It's sad that PTs are still flocking to courses such as MFR, strain counter strain and craniosacral courses.  What's worse is that they still count towards CEUs (in most states).  

It takes a personally motivated therapist to look at the quality of a course and understand how it can build upon their practice in a progressive manner.  Rather than keep trying to add to their "bag of tricks" I think most PTs need to spend more time learning how to refine their clinical decision making and further DEVELOPING skills they already have.  I truely feel we learn most of what we need to know at entry level (except for niche fields such as incontinence, etc)...we just need to learn how to develop our ability to apply these treatments in a more efficient and clinically competent manner.