Hey guys,
I am currently on my Musculo prac, and due to administrative changes that are to be made (no students in between rotations, physiotherapist there having to work alone), we are having to discharge as many patients as we can. A lot of these patients we are discharging are able to self-manage and are ready for the discharge (they have been told that being back at 100% is a low possibility).
However, I've come to realise that most of these patients have been clients to the department for probably 3-5 months (having been passed on from one student to the next). I found it quite hard especially in this past week to begin the discharging process. Some of the patients actually looked sad, probably with uncertainty how they would be able to handle it themselves. Educating about empowerment and self-management is key, but still...
I found it quite helpful to develop a program for them, and told them that I'd put them on hold. They will have to call up in a month's time to inform the clinic of their ability to self-manage, and probably arrange for a last check-up for the older patients.
Am I wiping my hands too cleanly? What else can I do to better manage the situation?
Mark
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Hi Mark,
I don't think you are doing anything wrong.. I mean our ultimate goal with chronic patients is to get them to self manage. It would be unethical for a patient to be getting treatment for months and months when they dont need it. The only issue here would be if you are discharging them to soon.
I think what makes it hard for you and why your patients seem sad is that I've realsied that for alot of these patients their once a week physio visit is their social outing for the week. The treatment session for them is more to them then getting their injury treated.
From the sounds of it, you have handled the situation well.
Enjoy the last week!
Post a Comment