How were midterms?

For those of you who had their midterms? How 'bout them CPI's? I can't wait until they're online, so I can write them faster. Midterms were great, I got some excellent feedback and compliments, so I'm ready to wrap things up in two weeks! Got 3/4 of my inservice done and will definitely be ready for them. I was able to go to a symposium (saw Indeera there), which was very helpful and we got a great book for sensory integration that has been helpful in treating some of my kids. I basically have 4 kids that I'm treating exclusively and I did a real live IEP / evaluation today and I've been able to call orthotists, doctors and speak to parents.

Overall, all is well. This a lot of ammunition for my interview for the Board of Ed next month, so I hope they pick me this year!!

Hope all is well you folks. See you in June!

Anyone else have to do article reviews every week?

Damn,
I gotta do a critically appraised topic review each week. The form for which could be found at otcats.com. Is it just me?
On top of the case study and the inservice topic, I gotta do a CAT each week...

Clarification:

If you guys want to keep this here as our own personal venting ground, cool. It'll stay up no matter what. But if you have any formal issues, or would also like to show Dr. Hansen what an awesome student you are, then you can submit to the discussion on Blackboard too!

I believe they call this a Win-win sitch.

OK. on to week two! of 6. midterms next week folks! (except for you 8 weekers)
So what happened this week, my CI is comfortable with me treating basically everyone on his caseload. It's small so I don't feel overwhelmed. I'm probably seeing 4-5 kids in 1/2 sessions a day. I've done a few evaluations, which at first took two sessions, but I've gotten pretty good w/ them but I do have to watch my time. The writing up of evaluations are long b/c again, the translating them into plain speak is arduous. But i've done some mock IEP's and my CI says all my documentation has been up to par...so no worries.

Can't complain about the hours either.

I have to say, compared to work--this is a vacation! I play all day, get to do a group class on thursday--can you say "dodgeball"?

alright, CPI due next week. hopefully, i'll get to do a real live evaluation, i just have to make some calls and then right up a real IEP as well!! woo hoo!!

hope you guys are doin' well. enjoy the weekend!!

Week two down, six more to go!

Friday. The close of another week on the pediatrics affiliation. Had a couple other conferences and rounds with the MDs, talked about private practice issues, differential diagnoses, wheelchair and equipment issues; surprisingly, those docs turned out to be a bunch of friendly and informative groups of fellows.
Phrase of the week: OCCAM'S RAZOR. (look it up)
Started taking a lead role in patient treatment planning this week, jumping out of the nest, cutting that cord... whatever analogy you wish to insert here. Sometimes I feel like a dog on a leash. I feel like I know what to do, but I'm just waiting to be let loose on the floors. Other times, I feel lost in all the issues of treatment and planning and rationalization, that I get overwhelmed, but my instructor is great and gives me a hint whenever I feel shaky.

I hope you all are getting the itch to go out and do your own thing.
Get independent.
Start making your own decisions.
Stop looking to your CI for all the answers.
Start acting like a professional therapist.
Get'er done!

We're Moving...To Blackboard!!

Alright guys, as per Dr. Hansen, please continue our discussions under the designated folder on Blackboard under BCE I.

So it is written, so it shall be done.

Aggregate grief: what happens when a bunch of your patients die.

In addition to all the other types of pediatric patients I've been seeing, I've been working with hematology/oncology patients also, and something happened so moving, we all had to have a meeting for it.
Psychology, Social Work, the attending MDs, Child Life Advocacy, Rehab....
All the services got together to....
talk about their feelings.

Recently, we had a slew of patients 'passing away', or 'expiring', or in simple terms, 'dying'. (whatever your preferred nomenclature would be) In my opinion, you work in an oncology ward, you'd expect a couple to go that way. But it was interesting to listen how everyone felt, different viewpoints, feeling guilt, remorse, sadness... that the patient they tended to for months, was no longer around. Especially if it's multiple cases in one week. Thus, aggregate grief.
How do you grieve for one patient, but almost immediately have to turn off those feelings to treat another patient on the oncology floor? Interesting question, yes?

Lesson learned: no matter how much or how many times you treat a patient, be professional, be objective, and don't get attached. If you can't deal with it and continue to function on your job, you need to find a new line of work.
My opinion.

ventilators; can someone chime in?

ventilators

Yvonne C. Nguyen to kochoa, me

show details 11:00 PM (6 hours ago)

Reply

Hello:
Only if you have some time, Can you try to find a big picture of a
ventilator showing all setings? or give me ideas.I did try google but
the pictures are very small.
Thanks
Yvonne

Reply

Reply to all

Forward

paul to Yvonne, me

show details 11:03 PM (6 hours ago)

Reply

wow,
there's only like, a jillion zillion different brands and models out there.
don't worry about knowing how to set those damn things.
just know one thing...
where the "mute alarm" button is.
that is all.

and then get your CI to tell you.

Anyone else see unique things like these?

Let's talk about some unique things, genetic things...
Hurler Syndrome
Porphyria
Pierre Robin Syndrome
You'd think that these things are rare, but I've seen them at my clinical and I had to look these things up. I don't remember covering these things in class...
Gargoylism? Who knew?

Done with Week 1... 5 more!!

Hey everyone!! I hope everyone's clinical is going really well. My CI is pretty laid back and I am having a good time. I work with about 8 kids a day. I am already treating and making short and long term goals. I am having fun with all the kids. Some of the Down's Syndrome kids are a little difficult. I manage to get some bonus point for catching on child's orthotics not fitting her anymore. So keep an eye out for your kids on their skin.

From Yvonne on May 5th

Hi Celvyn:
I was just checking the status of one of our classmates but I think
this is much easier. I have two CI's which are totally opposite. I have
been doing evaluations however goals, I need more practice. i always
get a comment. Speaking of the blogger, I signed up but I don't know
what to do next. keep me post it
Yvonne

Check the BLACKBOARD!

Feel free to click the link to blackboard on the right hand side. Dr. Hansen has activated the BCE I folder and it has a discussion board for us...I'll ask if we can either continue the blog, or transfer the postings here to the blackboard.

Teaching and learning is also up, so just when you thought you had enough homework...

Celvyn

Schneider Children's Hospital: week 2

Well, I've been at SCH now for a week and a half. I would have to say it's not so different than acute care at an adult hospital, but with kids. I've seen adolescents to preemies, dealt with oncology to patent ductus arteriosus, and it's been pretty smooth.
No doubt, our pediatric class has prepared us for this, but to add some drama, I'm doing my affiliation alongside another third year PT student from NYU on her third affiliation. Shoulder to shoulder, toe to toe, head to head. Mercy vs. NYU. (even if the game is only in my head)
Small office, filled with all women, makes for a unique work dynamic. It's only two PTs and two OTs.
I've been on numerous discharge planning conferences and rounds with attendings, residents, social work, nursing, psychology, etc... Done evaluations on preemies and toddlers, but have yet to deal with an autistic adolescent... At least one who is not intubated and comatose already.
I think I'm hitting my markers in terms of goals in a timely manner, I check and double-check them everyday to make sure I'm progressing as I should up to a level that is representative of my ability and my education.
The one thing that keeps going through my mind thus far is:
"THEY WILL NOT BREAK"
That's in reference to the preemies that I'm seeing in the NICU. I'm handling them all with 'kid-gloves', all soft and gentle; meanwhile, all the other staff are flipping them upside down and around by one limb and slapping them like they're all pieces of bacon.
I guess one more thing to grow accustomed to...
Paul

From Ivan:

hey guys, im doing well also, thank God. I am in PS 199 in manhattan and we also have our own therapy room. its a little small but thats ok. my CI is great. She shows me a lot of stuff and gives me a lot of freedom. She lets me plan my own activities and lets me think independlently. I am the only guys, we also have 4 OTS working with us, all females. The kids are great, some more involved than others. we see about 5-10 kids a day but we still have a lot of free time because some are always sick or absent. I started my eval on a young boy and I have to start working on my inservice, I feel like I have been there for a lot longer than 1 week. Hope everyone else is also doing well. Celvyn, thanks for opening up this site...Ivan

From Indeera:

Hi Everyone!

Hope you are all enjoying your BCE's as much as I am! Like Celvyn, I am doing a BOE clinical located at P.S.156 in the bx with their own therapy room. My CI and I are working well with each other and I've got to admit, I've learned a lot. Almost everything we've learned in our program thus far, esp. Linda and Debbie's class, has come back to taunt me including PNF, NDT, Neuro, Kines, MMT...but I'm lovin' it.

I have a review article presentation every friday (already did one - I spoke a little too fast though). I also have my case study and inservice to complete, just as the rest of us. I got my feet wet from day one with the chart reviews and observations. By day two, I did hands-on treatments and notes for my CI. I still find myself doing work at home. I have been on two trips so far, Bx Zoo and Special Olympics, to help/treat our kids.

Celvyn, you're right...this is going to fly by so fast we're gonna wish we had it longer. I really hope all is well and would like to hear how things are going with everyone else in the class...I kinda miss you all (strange, huh?).

Indeera

clinicals

ok, lets hope this works now.
Ivan

Reflections of week 1 of 6

OK, fellow classmates week 1 at the BOE IS5 in Elmhurst.

Did my first "evaluation" on a child...i put it in quotes b/c all the children are evaluated at the beginning of the year, so i was doing a mock eval. went well, a bit different than what we would formally see in a hospital or outpatient clinic. and it's long. but otherwise, we're seeing 3-4 kids a day, it's a bit slow b/c my CI discharged some patients during the year-but i'm keeping busy doing a lot of research, writing progress notes, reading IEP's etc.

Also, we have our own treatment room, unlike other fellow BOE'rs who probably have to treat wherever there is space. so that's a plus. got my inservice idea ready and approved by the CI and started my case study. I think these 6 weeks will fly by like nothing...wish i was doing 8 like some others

...hey, beats working and hopefully it will better prepare me for the interviews for the BOE scholarship coming this June.

Hope to hear from the rest of you.

celvyn

Journal Item: 4/6/08

This journal will be used to account my experiences during my 4 clinical affiliations as a SDPT for Mercy College. My first clinical affiliation begins 4/28/08 through 6/6/08 for the NYC BOE in Elmhurst NY. Please note that any names used in the journal entries will be changed for the persons' protection and in adherence of HIPAA guidelines and client / therapist confidentiality.

It is my hope that by tracing my experiences during each clinical, I will be able self-evaluate my progress and allow for the reader to take something that may be helpful or give advice or share their experience. This will not only help me as a future physical therapist, but hopefully for my fellow classmates or future PT students.

If you have any questions, comments, suggestions please feel free to leave them by clicking the comments link below each journal entry. Thanks.

4/2/08: Advanced Recon at the BOE.