It’s crazy to think how fast these four pracs have gone! I’ve been enjoying the journey of course, but oh so looking forward to getting to this final year of the degree. Cant believe I’m 98% of the way to it’s completion.
I had a few reservations prior to this placement, somewhat different to those I had before any other placements. My biggest concern was that I’d not yet done a musculoskeletal-specific placement. Naturally there are always musculo elements to each and every presentation, but my anxiety related to my final placement being solely musculo. During the placement, my reservations were allayed, as the experience was one of a well-supported and mentored nature. The supervisor was great at understanding the students experience and never gave undue pressure during our sessions. The supervisor would not partake in the sessions and would be in the room but not involved. He would jump in if he felt it needed, and I would ask him if there were anything further he would like to explore. This supported but discrete mentoring allowed me to find my own style of questioning, assessment and treatment, while having that backup on hand if needed. The actual layout of the practice probably forced this, as it’s a single treatment room. This horrified me when I first walked in on day one as I thought each and every flaw of mine would be seen! Again, this was far from the case, as the supervisor understood the student experience and our inability to have the much-desired experience of a long-term practitioner (we’re not going to be perfect as students).
The placement was a private practice but also serviced the Augusta hospital and community, so I did see a number of presentations as expected. There was still the high number of cases like low back and thoracic pain, but I also got to see some neuro cases and the elusive conversion syndrome (which was queried at the time but I’ve since learnt has since been diagnosed).
I was relieved to be driving the short 20 mins to Margaret River for this placement, the one prior involved many kms and hours driving, and being in the latter part of my pregnant state, the prolonged sitting in the car I was thankful not to do. On the pregnant note, the placement included a number of patients with pelvic floor issues, and postural issues – breastfeeding-related. I found rapport with these patients was natural given my own state, but I also had a warm response from all of the patients, to my obvious belly. I was concerned before the placement that I would not be able to manage the high velocity manipulations that I would no doubt be required to do. I did manage these with success, and only once did I have to let my supervisor know I was not fit to do one, as the patient was a 100kg 6ft man. I did attempt to manip this patient but I was happy to pass the patient over to the supervisor (all others were successful!).
I was hoping it to be the case, and this last placement turned out to be a fantastic networking opportunity. I’ve always treated every person on prac as a potential employer or colleague. I met numerous other allied health people and physios and will maintain these contacts as I am now a part of the local community down here. I look forward to graduating and integrating into this community, as it’s one my husband and I both love living in and hope to do so for a number of years. This point I think also added to my experience on placement. My supervisor always introduced me as a local living down here (you’re only local if you’re born here apparently!) and the patients I think enjoyed seeing a student that was “local” and they may in fact see again, rather than a once off.
My placement turned out to be cut short. On one (my final) Friday, my supervisor sat me down and complemented me on my assessment and treatment style and verbally offered me work once I was ready post baby. He had been very supportive and thoughtful throughout my placement (considerate of my wellbeing due to being pregnant), but I was astonished to be given such wonderful feedback, and an offer I could only hope for. I left that Friday afternoon so pleased, and a little shocked to be honest. It was midnight that night I went into labour, and was flown to Perth via the RFDS. It was lovely that the hospital staff at the local hospital were all familiar to me as it was where I had called into on numerous occasions on placement, and where I had intended to give birth. That following week I was to be helping my supervisor cover the regular physios work at the hospital as he had gone on leave. I became the patient rather than the professional, which I thought was I little humerous at the time.
Over the placement, I became more at ease with the musculoskeletal process, and I look forward to building on that in the future (It’s amazing what (very) little experience can do for a students confidence). Even with the unexpected early arrival of my baby, the whole placement was a wonderful experience. Seeing the various (often relevant to myself) presentations, building relationships with the locals, and being a part of the community made for a fantastic experience, a time in my life of such relevance and emotional importance (due to the birth of my baby and my life at that time).
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