Hi everyone,
Im at a neurosurge practical. This practical really tests your physical strength, not just your intellectual capacity. It involves a lot of transferring dependent patients and also being confident with it.
The first 2 weeks were very challenging physically. I found it tough and got tired by the end of the day - usually went straight to bed. Even worse - I got a pointer that my manual handling is not upto standard in the mid-placement assessment.
Recently, my friend suggested working out more often than once a week. This does not mean going to gym everyday. It can be just doing something you like - dancing, stretching or sit-ups, or push-ups in your own room. I tried this.
Along with this - i watched a lot of other therapists treat their patients and transfer them. I even helped one of them 2-3 times. She suggested that - since Im a very small person, doing things on my own is not a great idea....and I needed to learn to ask for help.
I implemented the above suggestions and found that my manual handling was a lot better in the 3rd week and even my tutor commented that it has improved markedly.
It is a very physical area to work in.....and I realise the importance of not only taking care of my patients, but also my own body. This involved me in coming up with the strategies - such as building up strength to do this job, asking for help when I need and being conscious about no lift policy - which I have realised is extremely important. This is especially the case after hearing from so many experienced neuro-physios about their crook backs.
What do you guys think? What are your experiences in this.....
Sashi.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Hey!
I think that keeping fit is a great idea! And not only in the area of neuro or geriatrics etc where you are doing a lot of transfers and it can be really tiring. But really, I believe all physios would benefit from keeping fit and strong!
When I was at one hospital they said to me they were more likely to employ boys because they already had more girls and they needed some strong males!
So thats just proof that we need to stay fit and strong.
I must admit I was pretty annoyed about someone saying they were more likely to take boys than girls though because, as you said, its not hard to ask a nurse or another physio near by to help with heavy tasks!
I think you hit the nail on the head with your post...
We need to stay as fit and strong as we can (not only useful for us but gives our patients a good image of healthy living!), and ask for help when it is needed!
Caris
Hi Sashi
I know exactly how you feel! The first week of this neurology prac that I am on I came home every day with aching muscles, especially quads and biceps, from traeating patients! The physios on this ward are big on getting a patient into perfect alignment when you have them in supported standing so a lot of time is spent supporting a patient with a hemi knee (quads) and posteriorly rotated pelvis on the hemi side (biceps!) in front of a mirror trying to get everything perfect! Also, on my musculoskeletal prac I noticed my shoulders would shake during some mobs - embarrassng in front of the patient!Building up more strength, especially in the arm and shoulder region, I think would improve the capacity we have to do our job well.
Post a Comment