Final Entry

MY CAKE DEDICATED TO THE BEST WARD EVER.

This placement has been absolutely AMAZING!
I've been surrounded by the awesomest group of allied health professionals EVER and I've learnt a lot about each of their roles. Looking back at my initial entry for this prac, my concerns were actually quite silly - except the parking one. That one is still concerns me EVERY SINGLE DAY! (I actually get to work 45 mins early most days just to secure a parking spot!)

I was somewhat right with my idea of the role I would be playing at the hospital. My supervisor took me around with her to observe a total knee replacement patient, a total hip replacement patient, a laminectomy patient, an ACL injury patient, a shoulder operated patient only once before throwing me in and then I had to take over the assessment and treatment for the same following cases. This was a great way to learn I found as she actually was never too far away if I did get any concerns while treating patients. Towards the end of wk 4 and the whole of this last week, I actually took over the role of head physio and ran the ward.

What I found was really useful were the extra little things I attended. For example, in my own time (8:00 in the morning), I attended an x-ray meeting for the consultants, registrars, residents and interns about interesting patients on the ward (that I also happened to be treating). Sitting in on these, I was able to have a greater understanding on the consultant’s post-op instructions and the type of implantations or fixations they used for each patient. I also had the chance to attend a few surgeries where the surgeon stopped the operation to point out interesting things for me and explain why and what he was doing.
It wasn't only the doctors and physios that taught me a thing or two. The nurses showed me the removal of drains, staples and all types of icky stuff. It was very awesome!

Concerns from the initial entry:
Politics in the hospital:
Surprisingly there wasn't too much political nonsense at this hospital. Every department respected each other and this is ideally how workplaces should function.

Do I know enough for this placement?
Yes. I was AM pretty amazing.

Will I get along with my supervisor?
Like peas in a pod.

Will I be stumped when I’m asked questions?
Haha. Many a times was I stumped but from those questions I gained knowledge which is the reason I'm on prac. For example my supervisor asked me "This patient (who had a TKR) has posterior leg pain. What could be causing it? and why would we not get her up until the doctors clear her?" Well there are many answers to this and I just kept rattling off things until (with gentle hints) I got to "they may have a DVT and until the Doppler results come back we don't know so if we get them up and they have a stroke and die it will be my fault."

Was there anything I could have done better?
No, like I said I am amazing.
But in all seriousness I have developed my SOAPIER technique and especially my initial subjective and objective assessments.

Will I find parking up at the hospital or would it be easier to catch the train?
Man I was never going to catch a train (I do it to uni every day during semester) so I battled it out with all the other staff to get a parking spot before 7:50 (at the latest).

My final home message would be to really get involved with the ward you're working on. Take an interest in what you're doing and the people you're working with to get the best experience out of your prac. Always ask if you can do more or clarify questions if you have concerns.

Before coming to this placement I was never very interested in working in a hospital environment but this experience has definitely changed my mind and I look forward to returning there one day!


Here's till next year...
xx Dori