Patient Shadowing

As a physical therapist, one is able to make a difference in the lives of the patients he or she encounters. Whether they have a minor injury, such as a broken

My first experience observing a physical therapist, commenced in the summer of 2014. At the time, I was given the opportunity to observe a physical therapist named Jennifer Moreland. Throughout my time observing her, I began to recognize she was not just a physical therapist with her patients. Many times, she took on the role of a consoler, cheerleader, friend and supporter for her patients. Reflecting back on this, I am able to see that the primary reason she has succeeded as a physical therapist; is due to her amiable, encouraging and empathetic nature. These character traits have allowed her to do more than heal patients' musculoskeletal problems. She has also been able to heal hearts, souls and minds by cheering, supporting, listening

The medical field is expanding ever so rapidly in today’s society. In the field of Physical Therapy one needs to have the understanding of how the human body works and the injuries one body could sustain. I have chosen a career to help others to battle back from life-changing injuries or surgeries. I will take the first step of joining the medical field by obtaining a physical therapist associates degree. I will become a Physical Therapist Assistant.

I am currently a 3rd year nursing student at Ryerson University and have recently become extremely interested in physiotherapy. This summer, I had the amazing opportunity to work with the University Health Network as a Patient Observer, where I was able to discuss with many physiotherapists about the nature of their jobs. Every physiotherapist spoke with the utmost positivity when discussing their position even after numerous years of practice. This inspired me to pursue my goal of becoming a physiotherapist in the future as it is something I am very passionate about.

Physical Therapist/Occupational Therapist’s careers are on the rise! According to my interest in adaptive technology, and my passion for helping others, a career as a Physical Therapist/Occupational Therapist (PTOT) appears to be a very positive, and a rewarding career choice for me! As a result, as a PTOT I will be working with new adaptive technologies and career advancement, reveling in ultimate job security, and new methodologies, open to growing employment opportunities, experiencing unlimited options, and the rewards of helping others to be healthy, healthy and knowing I had a part in a their recovery is key. However, as I embark on this career path as a PTOT that I have considered all the positive attributes, and the negative

The goals that I hope to achieve through this shadowing is to fulfill a portion of the hours of shadowing required by t Virginia Commonwealth University for a student on the Pre-Medicine track. In addition to that, I believe this experience will allow me to understand if a healthcare related career would be a proper choice for me, it has been my lifelong dream to become a doctor and to be of service to the world from a very young age.

Physical Therapy is an active, helpful career. It focuses on rehabilitation to reestablish full function and mobility to the patient. Anyone and everyone can qualify for physical therapy. Patients differ in age and race, and of course, by their illness or injury. The job involves possessing and using knowledge to diagnose the patient and establish a management plan deciding what therapy will benefit and improve the patient’s condition and averaging how long it will take to accomplish.

The physical therapy profession focuses one dimensionally, concentrating on the musculoskeletal system, whereas physician assistants direct their efforts to all body organ systems. I have always had a desire to learn about the human body as a whole and being a physician assistant would allow me to do just that. Because I am an avid learner who possesses a strong desire to absorb new information, the lateral mobility that the physician assistant profession offers makes it possible to learn a new specialty if the opportunity presents itself. I thus began researching other possibilities and discovered the physician assistant profession and immediately fell in love. It was not until I began shadowing a physician assistant that I truly knew that I found the place where I

Dr. Winstein’s lecture really spoke to me, as a physical therapy student. There is so much to consider when choosing this career path, as well as so much to strive for. The lecture started with a thought-provoking question:

In today’s world, people need more assistance, or aid, to better their health. Physical therapy seems to be the ideal career path for someone like myself, who likes hands-on activities. Hopefully after two years, I will be able to call myself a physical therapy assistant (PTA). A PTA plays an important role in the rehabilitation to help a patient, who was injured return back to proper level of physical functioning. The profession of physical therapy will show my drive and dedication to help people in need. Becoming a PTA will show my excellent communication skills and ability to work well with other individuals in hopes of helping people regain their physical function, so they can take on everyday life. This career path has job security,

Physical Therapist help patients to gain the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. (“Role of a Physical Therapist”) Next, Physical Therapists responsibilities include examination, diagnosis, and creation/ implementation and adjustment of the plan of care. (“Physical Therapist (PT) Profiles”) Lastly, Physical Therapist helps patients explain their accident

Having the opportunity to shadowing in primary care practices was most profound to my introduction of the practice of clinical medicine. It was through observing patient interactions centered upon the diagnosis and treatment of common medical conditions that I was able utilize medical information I had learned as an undergraduate to the actual application of practicing medicine. For instance, information about diabetes mellitus learned from my anatomy and physiology course was transformed into the physically diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of the chronic condition in medical settings. Thus, shadowing in such a practice truly brought medicine to life for me. Likewise, while shadowing, I had the opportunity to listen to patients

Mrs. Hannah Lowe is a Physical Therapist at Danni Jones Physical Therapy & Wellness Lab. While she was at Louisiana Tech she started off as a Biology major. After completing two classes of biology she soon realized that wasn’t for her. Eventually she switched to Kinesiology, but she still wasn’t for sure what she wanted to do after graduating. Mrs. Lowe graduated with her bachelors in 3 years then went on to get her master in Exercise Science at Louisiana Tech as well. While getting her masters she taught a few exercise classes. The first day of her internship at Danni Jones Physical therapy she fell in love with everything about Physical Therapy and knew then that’s what she wanted

For my interview I talk to Derrick Williams he has been in the field of physical therapy for six years. Mr. Williams says in his words " A physical therapist is a person that helps patients get back on their feet makes them feel better about life". I found out in order to go into this field Derrick says "you have to take some basic science/biology and a anatomy class. Now I knew that you have to connect with your patients. The information I found the duties he does is he uses physical fitness to restore functioning to reduce pain in patients.

On September 8th, 2015, I first began interning for Dr. Dawn Cox and her staff of experienced Physical Therapists at PRANA Functional Manual Therapy in Lancaster, PA as a Physical Therapy Aide. Intermittently, on the first day of my internship, I would ask the therapists “Why choose Physical Therapy as a profession?” One of the Physical Therapists conveyed that aside from the substantial benefits a job provides, it was the intangible materials that gave the profession a meaning. As a student exploring the field of Physical Therapy, I have infallibly witnessed professionalism at PRANA and other Physical Therapy facilities through the therapists’ altruism towards patients -without violating ethical practices as professionals; their apposite use of communication with each individual at the workplace; and their sense of accountability when things go unforeseen.