Life with a New PT Grad : Ethics & Legal Issues

H1N1 Virus

Lisa West — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:19:00 GMT

Well, I hate to jump on the media wagon with more commentary about the H1N1 flu virus, but I'm wondering how other health care systems are tackling this nation-wide problem. I got the H1N1 flu shot today at work, but many of my coworkers are declining...(read more)

Is Detox the Same as Skilled Therapy?

Lisa West — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:26:00 GMT

The hospital I work at is in urban Milwaukee. It is located a little south-west of actual downtown Milwaukee, but it is by no means a "suburban"-type establishment. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published an article in today's paper citing Milwaukee...(read more)

Health Care and Democrats

Lisa West — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:01:00 GMT

All Americans should be required to carry health insurance? Excuse me? Government-run health care? Hopefully you are all keeping yourselves updated with the latest news. As a health care provider, I agree that changes need to be made. Being forthright...(read more)

Starting a Rehab Clinical

Lisa Catenacci — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:33:00 GMT

This week I will begin my third clinical, in a rehab setting with an emphasis in neuro patients. I am anxious to get back in the clinic after a semester of listening to lectures and studying! I think I'm going to enjoy rehab because I'll be able to spend a lot of time with each patient (hopefully!)

I've been reviewing my notes, trying to remember pathologies and how to write my documentation. The key to this clinical is being very fluid, very efficient, and turning my skills into entry-level habits. I came across a funny memory as I was reviewing my notes. When we were learning how to write notes and do SOAP note documentation- our professor gave us a list of documentation "bloopers" to illustrate the importance of writing clearly!

Here is that list of bloopers, hope you enjoy! (Pay attention to number 10!)

1. The skin was moist and dry.
2. Rectal exam revealed a normal size thyroid. (Long fingers?)
3. The patient had waffles for breakfast and anorexia for lunch.
4. She stated that she had been constipated for most of her life until 1989 when she got a divorce.
5. Between you and me, we ought to be able to get this lady pregnant.
6. The patient was in his usual state of good health until his airplane ran out of gas and crashed.
7. The lab test indicated abnormal lover function.
8. The baby was delivered, the cord clamped and cut, and handed to the pediatrician, who breathed and cried immediately.
9. Exam of genitalia reveals that he is circus sized.
10. I saw your patient today, who is still under our car for physical therapy.
11. The patient lives at home with his mother, father, and pet turtle, who is presently enrolled in day care three times a week.
12. Bleeding started in the rectal area and continued all the way to Los Angeles.
13. Both breasts are equal and reactive to light and accommodation. (Excuse me, what are you doing with that pen light?)
14. She is numb from her toes down.
15. Exam of genitalia was completely negative except for the right foot. (Anatomy review time!)
16. While in the emergency room, she was examined, X-rated and sent home.
17. The patient was to have a bowel resection. However, he took a job as a stockbroker instead. (An empowered patient.)
18. The patient suffers from occasional, constant, infrequent headaches.
19. Coming from Detroit, this man has no children.
20. Examination reveals a well-developed male lying in bed with his family in no distress.
21. Patient was alert and unresponsive.
22. When she fainted, her eyes rolled around the room.
23. We will follow her eyes and nose with a foley catheter.
24. By the time he was admitted, his rapid heart had stopped, and he was feeling better.
25. Patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year.
26. On the second day the knee was better and on the third day it had completely disappeared.
27. The patient has been depressed ever since she began seeing me in 1983.
28. The patient is tearful and crying constantly. She also appears to be depressed.
29. Discharge status: Alive but without permission.
30. Healthy-appearing decrepit sixty-nine-year-old male, mentally alert but forgetful.
31. The patient refused an autopsy.
32. The patient expired on the floor uneventfully.
33. Patient has left his white blood cells at another hospital.
34. The patient's past medical history has been remarkably insignificant, with only a forty-pound weight gain in the past three days.
35. She slipped on the ice and apparently her legs went in separate directions in early December.
36. The patient had a rash over his truck.
37. Dictation blunder: lasar radar response (as opposed to vagovagal response).

Clarification: PTs Are NOT Massage Therapists

Lisa Catenacci — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:02:00 GMT

As I was standing in our PT office last week to drop off some paperwork, a student came in and asked if he could enroll in one of our massage classes. He explained that he was "interested in learning massage, and thought this would be the place to go-since PTs give massages."

Since I have a Type A personality (at times) I explained to the young gentleman how PTs are very different than massage therapists, and the differences between massage and soft/deep tissue mobilization. We don't give manicures or pedicures, either. I'm not trying to belittle the massage therapy profession, or spas and salons for that matter-but trying to emphasize our differences (Our PT curriculum does not include a "massage" course, but the concepts are intertwined throughout several courses. Either way, I gave the gentleman the name of a reputable massage school in downtown Milwaukee and he thanked me for my time. )

So, to simplify: PTs focus on reducing pain and increasing function in our patients. This might mean using soft tissue mobilization during a therapy session (to increase blood flow, and use the Gate Control Theory for pain relief). Most likely, the remainder of the session will focus on active stretching and strengthening, and regaining lost range of motion.

That's one aspect of PT I kind of like-standing up for the profession. PTs are often confused with massage therapists, and we all know the discrepancies with chiropractors, athletic trainers-the list goes on. But, it's our generation of PTs who will determine the turf of the profession. Likewise, it's our generation who will have to establish the reputation of PTs to the general public. It's important for PTs to educate patients, caregivers and friends about the roles and specialties of PT.

Anyone else out there having a career identity crisis? What's the best comment you've heard about being a PT?