Orientation:
This was probably the best orientation I have ever been to - it was comprehensive, slightly entertaining, efficient, and less than 6 hours long. This whole idea of perks, benefits, and pay is forgein to me. I am not quite sure what to do with it... and am feeling fairly guilty since I am getting paid for them teaching me. But, if I think about it enough I can rationalize it in that I have paid the school to work at other clinics. And, maybe we'll even up once I am licensed.
After clinic I had to go to school to print off my professional development plan. My roommate Jess was working in the comp lab so Becca and I grilled some burgers and brought them over for our first roommate dinner. We are kinda losers but it was fun!!
Also, Laura Nye got engaged!!
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Monday, September 3, 2007
When did I post last?
I don't even remember. The summer was very busy with 7 classes, internship interviews, and trying to get some vacation out of our weekends. All three went very well, although at times they were mutually exclusive. :-D I managed to go to Denver for annual conference, NH a few times, got slated to run for Student Assembly of the APTA as Student PT Delegate, white water rafting in Maine, Annapolis to see my brother Jon, NY to see the Jets play, kayaking on the Concord River, and move into a "new" apartment. (New is in quotes because Becca and I moved down one floor and another girl from class, Jess, moved in with us).
It was a good summer, but now it's over... I start my final internship at Brigham and Women's Hospital tomorrow. It's technically a 16 week deal then I graduate January 25th (and walk May 3rd) but I am committed to the site for a year. I'll do my first 6 months on an inpatient neuro floor (which I am very nervous about) and then switch to their outpatient clinic for the last half. I hope I can acclimate to inpatient quickly and that I enjoy it. Maybe I'll have more time to write in my blog! hahaha....
It was a good summer, but now it's over... I start my final internship at Brigham and Women's Hospital tomorrow. It's technically a 16 week deal then I graduate January 25th (and walk May 3rd) but I am committed to the site for a year. I'll do my first 6 months on an inpatient neuro floor (which I am very nervous about) and then switch to their outpatient clinic for the last half. I hope I can acclimate to inpatient quickly and that I enjoy it. Maybe I'll have more time to write in my blog! hahaha....
Monday, July 9, 2007
The title bar isn't working so this one is called DENVER:
I wrote an outline so I wouldn't forget stuff, but some of it is really only funny if you were there. That in mind, I will try to filter.
Wednesday Night
- Sarah Bosley and I were delayed in the airport. But I can't complain, other students were delayed for much longer than we were. I didn't get sick on the plane thanks to Bonine.
Thursday Morning (early)
- Met up with Bo in the airport...he was supposed to get in 5 hours before but had just arrived. We felt better about our situation. Grabbed a cab to a 2nd yr student's apt, Lisa. She is in Denver on a full-time clinical. After talking for a little bit, we got to bed realizing that it was 3:30am, 5:30am EST...I felt like I should have been waking up.
Everything reversed at 6:30am when I felt like I should be going back to bed, but Sarah and I were determined not to miss conference due to weakness. Good thing too... the first session we went to was on special tests of the shoulder by Eric J. Hegedus, PT, DPT, OCS from Duke. The lecture was fantastic and someday I hope to put it up on this blog - but in short, he reviewed the tests' specificity and sensitivity and their likelihood ratios - concluding the most effective tests to rule in or out each possible diagnosis at the shoulder. The second one was on athletes with amputations, retraining running, and resources for those athletes.
Ok I am too tired to go on... the best parts are coming up though, so stay tuned.
I wrote an outline so I wouldn't forget stuff, but some of it is really only funny if you were there. That in mind, I will try to filter.
Wednesday Night
- Sarah Bosley and I were delayed in the airport. But I can't complain, other students were delayed for much longer than we were. I didn't get sick on the plane thanks to Bonine.
Thursday Morning (early)
- Met up with Bo in the airport...he was supposed to get in 5 hours before but had just arrived. We felt better about our situation. Grabbed a cab to a 2nd yr student's apt, Lisa. She is in Denver on a full-time clinical. After talking for a little bit, we got to bed realizing that it was 3:30am, 5:30am EST...I felt like I should have been waking up.
Everything reversed at 6:30am when I felt like I should be going back to bed, but Sarah and I were determined not to miss conference due to weakness. Good thing too... the first session we went to was on special tests of the shoulder by Eric J. Hegedus, PT, DPT, OCS from Duke. The lecture was fantastic and someday I hope to put it up on this blog - but in short, he reviewed the tests' specificity and sensitivity and their likelihood ratios - concluding the most effective tests to rule in or out each possible diagnosis at the shoulder. The second one was on athletes with amputations, retraining running, and resources for those athletes.
Ok I am too tired to go on... the best parts are coming up though, so stay tuned.
For some reason my most recent post did not get posted... that might be a good thing because it was a little negative - ok, very negative. I was down about classes and such so I went off on a stream of consciousness about why I didn't like each one. But it isn't that bad. Some classes area a little silly in that, they might be good but I could get all the info from reading a book. One class is pretty bad because it basically repeats all the ther-ex we have learned over the last 2 years. The rest are good. I love my sports class and diagnostic screening. They are our last classes though so I really shouldn't complain. I need to savor the last moments I have as an Entry-Level DPT student.
We are supposed to find out about our clinic assignments soon... which means we'll be making money soon! That is not a bad deal is it, making money as a student? Woohoo!
We are supposed to find out about our clinic assignments soon... which means we'll be making money soon! That is not a bad deal is it, making money as a student? Woohoo!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Where to start
Maybe this is why I lose readers - although, that assumes there were readers. It has been 3 weeks since the last post and all those where catch-up posts from the weeks before. Whew, that is not good. Time for another update...
School - Definitely on the forefront. There is a lot going on here. I just finished interviewing for my year-long internship where I looked at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Mass General Hospital, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Portsmouth Regional Hospital and Spaulding Wellesley. The interviews are DONE! Now I just have to rank them...which is actually easier than I thought it would be. I think I rely on gut feelings a lot and they're helping me out a lot with this. All of them are good hospitals, with MGH and the Brigham...and maybe Newton-Wellesley ranking among the top hospitals in the nation. I am looking forward to finding out where I end up....and start getting paid! Classes are going alright. We have so much group work though that scheduling has been a mess. I have a group for health promotion, one for psych of disability, one for diagnostic screening, and one for ethics. I guess comp case and advanced ther-ex have their own groups as well...and I have presentation to do with another girl as well. All of those have large presentations due within the next 3 weeks. It is a little bittersweet being in class too since this is our last time with our classmates and faculty...our program director mentioned that today and it made me a little sad. I'll miss these people!
Family - Jonny is starting at Annapolis next week. Ben is looking at apartments in Boston and setting up his schedule at Suffolk Law School for the fall semester. Lydia and Kitty have started their vacation and summer jobs. Christian made the Leominster baseball all-star team which is a BIG deal and Mom and Dad got me a new phone for my bday!
Other life - Emily moved out of the apt and her friend's fiancee Jennifer moved in. We really like her and she just got a job! We don't know what we're going to do with the apt. I'd love to stay here, but it all depends on where we end up on our affiliations. And I turned 24...that is very old isn't it?
That's it...for now!
School - Definitely on the forefront. There is a lot going on here. I just finished interviewing for my year-long internship where I looked at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Mass General Hospital, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Portsmouth Regional Hospital and Spaulding Wellesley. The interviews are DONE! Now I just have to rank them...which is actually easier than I thought it would be. I think I rely on gut feelings a lot and they're helping me out a lot with this. All of them are good hospitals, with MGH and the Brigham...and maybe Newton-Wellesley ranking among the top hospitals in the nation. I am looking forward to finding out where I end up....and start getting paid! Classes are going alright. We have so much group work though that scheduling has been a mess. I have a group for health promotion, one for psych of disability, one for diagnostic screening, and one for ethics. I guess comp case and advanced ther-ex have their own groups as well...and I have presentation to do with another girl as well. All of those have large presentations due within the next 3 weeks. It is a little bittersweet being in class too since this is our last time with our classmates and faculty...our program director mentioned that today and it made me a little sad. I'll miss these people!
Family - Jonny is starting at Annapolis next week. Ben is looking at apartments in Boston and setting up his schedule at Suffolk Law School for the fall semester. Lydia and Kitty have started their vacation and summer jobs. Christian made the Leominster baseball all-star team which is a BIG deal and Mom and Dad got me a new phone for my bday!
Other life - Emily moved out of the apt and her friend's fiancee Jennifer moved in. We really like her and she just got a job! We don't know what we're going to do with the apt. I'd love to stay here, but it all depends on where we end up on our affiliations. And I turned 24...that is very old isn't it?
That's it...for now!
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Day 3 : Part 1
Sorry for taking a break from this and leaving you all waiting for the conclusion to the House. School has actually been busy. I am right back in the swing of things, but remembering the schedule of classes and trying to schedule interviews for internship along with each facility's informational session...whew. At least I got my wallet back, in all of its many pieces!
The House started bright and early Wednesday morning...8ish? I apologize for a lack of details as I am in Sterling tonight and do not have my notes with me. They went right into RC 37, a MA motion to look into producing a series of white papers showing the benefits and cost effectiveness of physical therapy in comparison to other options for treatment. A few amendments were brought up to take out "cost-effectiveness" as many believe that is a trap in health care and we as PTs should not stoop down to play that game. But the point was made that cost is an unfortunate reality and it needs to be addressed. Others were concerned that data gathered would show PT as ineffective. This surprised me...I thought PTs would be certain it was most effective. But this was the minority and the motion was passed. Now comes the easy part - RCs 38-40 were all withdrawn, 39 with more "ceremony" with regards to recognition of those who achieve a tDPT - but I forget what the big deal was all about.
And that was it! They finished up with a celebration of the newly elected officials and recognition of Frank Mallon - the outgoing CEO of the APTA. I was pretty sad when it was over...almost like when all the presents are unwrapped at Christmas. Fortunately for me, the Advocacy Academy continued at the conclusion of the HoD. More on that later...probably in Day 3 : Part 2.
Good luck on all your interviews to those in my class!
The House started bright and early Wednesday morning...8ish? I apologize for a lack of details as I am in Sterling tonight and do not have my notes with me. They went right into RC 37, a MA motion to look into producing a series of white papers showing the benefits and cost effectiveness of physical therapy in comparison to other options for treatment. A few amendments were brought up to take out "cost-effectiveness" as many believe that is a trap in health care and we as PTs should not stoop down to play that game. But the point was made that cost is an unfortunate reality and it needs to be addressed. Others were concerned that data gathered would show PT as ineffective. This surprised me...I thought PTs would be certain it was most effective. But this was the minority and the motion was passed. Now comes the easy part - RCs 38-40 were all withdrawn, 39 with more "ceremony" with regards to recognition of those who achieve a tDPT - but I forget what the big deal was all about.
And that was it! They finished up with a celebration of the newly elected officials and recognition of Frank Mallon - the outgoing CEO of the APTA. I was pretty sad when it was over...almost like when all the presents are unwrapped at Christmas. Fortunately for me, the Advocacy Academy continued at the conclusion of the HoD. More on that later...probably in Day 3 : Part 2.
Good luck on all your interviews to those in my class!
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Day 2 - Part 2
Where were we... oh right, by the pool. It was a very nice caucus, great to get out into the sun for a bit. It energized people I think, which was good as there were a few more long "battles" to go through before the day was over.
RC25 - This picked up after lunch...There were a great deal of questions regarding risk of liability if a student was under a non-credentialed CI and did not pass his/her clinical. Could a student sue the clinic...the school? It was made clear by the lawyers on staff that advice was "off the cuff" but that it would not help to decrease liability. The student assembly delegate rose to speak in favor of the motion, but I disagree - and the foundation for my disagreement was brought up. While the student delegate did have a good point that it encouraged professional development and worked toward leveling off clinical experiences, there is actually evidence that students under credentialed CIs fair no better than those under non-credentialed CIs. That is what the education section made a point about as well. Another consideration in opposition is that this would severely limit the number of "suggested" CIs. While the APTA staff did show that there is 1 credentialed CI to every 2 students throughout the nation, I think they should have considered that this may not be true in regions saturated with PT schools (eg Boston/NE) and many students would be forced to relocate. Then someone tried to amend it to say that this motion would be effective immediately. That was a pretty dumb idea because there are students out on clinicals now that are not under credentialed CIs. Anyway, that was defeated as was the main motion, but it took a while.
RC26 - Passed - Here you go Amanda! It was amended to say "Physical therapists as practitioners of choice in the rehabilitation and management of vestibular related balance disorders." There was some discussion over the wording as at one point it seemed to imply medical/pharm management and that is outside our scope of practice. But they got it all figured out.
RC27 - Passed - The APTA endorsed the Core Values of Accountability, Altruism (although many think that fidelity might be the best here as altruism implies philanthropy), Compassion, Caring, Excellence, Integrity, Professional Duty, and Social Responsibility.
RC28 - Passed - The APTA now recommends that all individuals visit a PT at least annually to promote optimal health, wellness and fitness, as well as to slow the progression of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities. It originally read "all adults" but the pedi special interest group amended it to say "all individuals" to include children.
RC29 - Withdrawn
RC30 - Passed - The APTA will pursue the inclusion of a screening by a PT as a component of the "Welcome to Medicare" physical exam. This is a little weak, as the medicare definition of screening is not hands on... "Any dummy can do it" is what I heard around... but it is a start.
RC31 - Referred to the Board - The BoD will investigate a marketing campaign focused toward NPs, PAs, and other appropriate providers to promote and utilize PTs as exercise experts. Many wanted to know why the wording did not include MDs, but the Board will take a look at it and we'll see what they think next year.
RC32 - You shoulda been there
RC33 - Withdrawn
RC34 - Postponed Indefinitely - but not without sufficient discussion. This motion stated "That the APTA develop strategies to address the problems associated with PT practices that are owned and/or managed by non-physical therapists." Basically, looking for ways to deal with situations when PTs are perhaps asked to practice in situations that may not be ethical because non-PT owners/managers are not bound by our code of ethics. Now, this seems harmless, but it implies that only PTs can own a PT practice. First this got the PTA caucus all riled up - what if there were a PTA who also had his/her MBA...could he not own a clinic? They played defense for a great deal of the time trying to keep in the ownership game. On the other hand, there were those thinking that maybe a PTA shouldn't own one because it would be included in management and PTAs are technically not allowed to "manage" patient care. Beyond these discussions, there were some concerned about what this would mean for hospital based clinics, rehab institutions and snfs. I think we may have been on this one for an hour or so, maybe more. Finally it was postponed, but I am not sure if indefinitely means that we'll see it next year in different language. It was from AZ, so who knows... ;)
RC35 - Passed - That the APTA investigate the barriers to and opportunities for adopting the ICF model to describe PT practice, with a report to the HoD next year. I think this is great since most PT schools are using the ICF as it can be used for all people, not just those with a disability. It is an enablement model basically. So they'll look into it, but it should be adopted as describing PT if we want to keep up with all the other medical professions as the majority seem to be swinging that way in the US, and it has been the trend in Europe as well.
RC36 - Withdrawn
And suddenly, it was 7pm and we still hadn't gotten to MA's second motion. Fortunately, we had 30 minutes for business the next morning and hoped we could get through it. But really, can you believe how little we got through on day one, and then the work done day 2? It was great!!
That evening there was an address by a Rhode Island congressman, Jim Langevin as part of the Advocacy Academy which would begin in full the next day upon conclusion of the House proceedings. It was very good to hear him discuss the importance of advocating outside of the clinic, outside of the medical world even - to lawmakers. Definitely got me excited about the rest of the week.
After the address, the PT-PAC put on a reception...a FREE reception with tons of food and an open bar. Then on top of that they had a comedy group called the "Capitol Steps" preform. They were hilarious, singing spoofs of all the big-wigs on capitol hill. MA was well represented with both Ted Kennedy and John Kerry taking hits.
Here are the lyrics to the first number they sang. I encourage you to check them out if you want a laugh.
Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I am Nancy Pelosi and I am your new Speaker of the House.
Do we have any republicans here? Thank you for taking time off from watching fox news so you could be with me this evening.
How about democrats? Now fellow dems, lets be gracious and try not to gloat...oh who are we kidding?
Things are swell
Marry Gays
Raise the terrorist minimum wage
Startin here - startin now
Honey, everything's run by Pelosi (you got it)
Raise the bar, hybrid cars
NBC will become NPR
Startin here - startin now
Honey, everything's run by Pelosi (I got 6 grandkids)
Arent' we dems swell
Soon the white house is mine
I'll show them, well
My running mate will be a stem-cell
I'll be grand, feelin great!
And I don't have to wait til '08
Since I start third in line
Cheney's heart, aint that fine
We'll impeach George Bush
I guarantee
The most powerful woman this country has seen will be...
Alright, Oprah
But then ME!
RC25 - This picked up after lunch...There were a great deal of questions regarding risk of liability if a student was under a non-credentialed CI and did not pass his/her clinical. Could a student sue the clinic...the school? It was made clear by the lawyers on staff that advice was "off the cuff" but that it would not help to decrease liability. The student assembly delegate rose to speak in favor of the motion, but I disagree - and the foundation for my disagreement was brought up. While the student delegate did have a good point that it encouraged professional development and worked toward leveling off clinical experiences, there is actually evidence that students under credentialed CIs fair no better than those under non-credentialed CIs. That is what the education section made a point about as well. Another consideration in opposition is that this would severely limit the number of "suggested" CIs. While the APTA staff did show that there is 1 credentialed CI to every 2 students throughout the nation, I think they should have considered that this may not be true in regions saturated with PT schools (eg Boston/NE) and many students would be forced to relocate. Then someone tried to amend it to say that this motion would be effective immediately. That was a pretty dumb idea because there are students out on clinicals now that are not under credentialed CIs. Anyway, that was defeated as was the main motion, but it took a while.
RC26 - Passed - Here you go Amanda! It was amended to say "Physical therapists as practitioners of choice in the rehabilitation and management of vestibular related balance disorders." There was some discussion over the wording as at one point it seemed to imply medical/pharm management and that is outside our scope of practice. But they got it all figured out.
RC27 - Passed - The APTA endorsed the Core Values of Accountability, Altruism (although many think that fidelity might be the best here as altruism implies philanthropy), Compassion, Caring, Excellence, Integrity, Professional Duty, and Social Responsibility.
RC28 - Passed - The APTA now recommends that all individuals visit a PT at least annually to promote optimal health, wellness and fitness, as well as to slow the progression of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities. It originally read "all adults" but the pedi special interest group amended it to say "all individuals" to include children.
RC29 - Withdrawn
RC30 - Passed - The APTA will pursue the inclusion of a screening by a PT as a component of the "Welcome to Medicare" physical exam. This is a little weak, as the medicare definition of screening is not hands on... "Any dummy can do it" is what I heard around... but it is a start.
RC31 - Referred to the Board - The BoD will investigate a marketing campaign focused toward NPs, PAs, and other appropriate providers to promote and utilize PTs as exercise experts. Many wanted to know why the wording did not include MDs, but the Board will take a look at it and we'll see what they think next year.
RC32 - You shoulda been there
RC33 - Withdrawn
RC34 - Postponed Indefinitely - but not without sufficient discussion. This motion stated "That the APTA develop strategies to address the problems associated with PT practices that are owned and/or managed by non-physical therapists." Basically, looking for ways to deal with situations when PTs are perhaps asked to practice in situations that may not be ethical because non-PT owners/managers are not bound by our code of ethics. Now, this seems harmless, but it implies that only PTs can own a PT practice. First this got the PTA caucus all riled up - what if there were a PTA who also had his/her MBA...could he not own a clinic? They played defense for a great deal of the time trying to keep in the ownership game. On the other hand, there were those thinking that maybe a PTA shouldn't own one because it would be included in management and PTAs are technically not allowed to "manage" patient care. Beyond these discussions, there were some concerned about what this would mean for hospital based clinics, rehab institutions and snfs. I think we may have been on this one for an hour or so, maybe more. Finally it was postponed, but I am not sure if indefinitely means that we'll see it next year in different language. It was from AZ, so who knows... ;)
RC35 - Passed - That the APTA investigate the barriers to and opportunities for adopting the ICF model to describe PT practice, with a report to the HoD next year. I think this is great since most PT schools are using the ICF as it can be used for all people, not just those with a disability. It is an enablement model basically. So they'll look into it, but it should be adopted as describing PT if we want to keep up with all the other medical professions as the majority seem to be swinging that way in the US, and it has been the trend in Europe as well.
RC36 - Withdrawn
And suddenly, it was 7pm and we still hadn't gotten to MA's second motion. Fortunately, we had 30 minutes for business the next morning and hoped we could get through it. But really, can you believe how little we got through on day one, and then the work done day 2? It was great!!
That evening there was an address by a Rhode Island congressman, Jim Langevin as part of the Advocacy Academy which would begin in full the next day upon conclusion of the House proceedings. It was very good to hear him discuss the importance of advocating outside of the clinic, outside of the medical world even - to lawmakers. Definitely got me excited about the rest of the week.
After the address, the PT-PAC put on a reception...a FREE reception with tons of food and an open bar. Then on top of that they had a comedy group called the "Capitol Steps" preform. They were hilarious, singing spoofs of all the big-wigs on capitol hill. MA was well represented with both Ted Kennedy and John Kerry taking hits.
Here are the lyrics to the first number they sang. I encourage you to check them out if you want a laugh.
Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I am Nancy Pelosi and I am your new Speaker of the House.
Do we have any republicans here? Thank you for taking time off from watching fox news so you could be with me this evening.
How about democrats? Now fellow dems, lets be gracious and try not to gloat...oh who are we kidding?
Things are swell
Marry Gays
Raise the terrorist minimum wage
Startin here - startin now
Honey, everything's run by Pelosi (you got it)
Raise the bar, hybrid cars
NBC will become NPR
Startin here - startin now
Honey, everything's run by Pelosi (I got 6 grandkids)
Arent' we dems swell
Soon the white house is mine
I'll show them, well
My running mate will be a stem-cell
I'll be grand, feelin great!
And I don't have to wait til '08
Since I start third in line
Cheney's heart, aint that fine
We'll impeach George Bush
I guarantee
The most powerful woman this country has seen will be...
Alright, Oprah
But then ME!
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Day 2 Part 1
Back in Mass and working on catching up/organizing my life. Somehow that included a group session at MGH about internships, sea kayaking, a bbq, misplacing my wallet, and an outdoor concert featuring Vega 4, The John Butler Trio, Mat Kearney, KT Tunstall, and Guster. It was a good time. Now after spending some time trying to find my wallet and cleaning...haven't found the wallet yet and am nervous about that.... but anyway, time to reflect on some more of the House of Delegates.
The day started nice and early with a coffee at 7:15am. It was a time where the delegates could follow up with the candidates for the Board of Directors, Secretary, and Vice Speaker. Again, I didn't have much to do with this, but whole-heartedly took part in the coffee. We had a quick caucus before the House started with a plan of attack so to speak, and then headed to hopefully make more progress than the day prior.
And what progress was made immediately: The board withdrew RCs 5-9! They had realized that at this point, the RCs were too convoluted and wordsmithing them on the floor would take too much time with, perhaps, unequal return.
RC 10 - Passed - Opening the House document on therapy documentation beyond intervention to "plan of care"
RC 11 - Passed - Changed the wording of HOD p06-00-21-33 on PT and PTA regulation to require graduation from a PT education program accredited by CAPTE...where before it had just said "an accredited PT education program" without saying who it had to do the accreditation. Someone tried to amend the document by allowing newly graduated PTs who had not passed the boards practice as PTAs. I do not think that part passed, but I'll have to check the minutes when they are posted.
RC 12 - Withdrawn
RC13 - Defeated - Keeping all the wording of PT Patient/Client Management Model on Diagnosis present. While some thought it to be cumbersome and that having it in there was overkill as people should know that when we say we can diagnose, we mean everything that diagnosis entails, others made the point that they use this document in legal cases and having all the language there would be very helpful to continue to protect physical therapists.
RC14 - Withdrawn
RC15 - Withdrawn
RC16 - Defeated - but with GREAT difficulty. This was Arizona's tricky motion trying to replace PT with DPT as the regulatory designator...making it difficult to rationalize that those who had not achieved a DPT degree would be doctors. After discussion on the original wording, there was more on two proposed amendments, and finally all three were defeated. I don't know how long this went on, but it was fiery because people have very strong views on this topic. And again, refer to the minutes please, but I think this one took a standing counted vote. I am not sure and wish I had taken note, but I'll try to remember to follow up.
RC 17 - Withdrawn (see day 1 part 2)
RC 18 - Defeated - Keeping the Guidelines for Student and Employer Contracts as a House document. It was proposed to replace it with a document that the education staff are working on, but it is not completely finished. Also, it was thought that these were good for employers as well. A common agreement throughout this discussion was that in these days of high demand for PTs, students do need to take care not to eat up the best deal, and realize they are hooked in a facility that will not serve their development as a therapist well.
RC19 - Withdrawn
RC20 - Passed - To include web-bases and media APTA documents in a copyright.
RC21 - Withdrawn
RC22 - Passed - Adopting a position on professional development, lifelong learning, and continued competence in physical therapy as a house document. It outlines definitions of this and a method for reflecting back on this to see how one is practicing in comparison.
RC23 - Passed - The position on continuing education is now included in the document passed in the prior motion and so the document outlining just the position on cont. ed. is now unnecessary.
RC24 - Passed - Same as above but with regards to the position on professional development.
RC25 - Defeated - But again, a very long discussion - which I will leave for next time because we took a recess half way through and I need one now to continue the search for my wallet. My friend who had the bbq does not have it at his house and so it HAS to be here or I am in bad shape.
More to come on the rest of the house. Right now, picture the MA delegation caucusing pool-side and eating steak burritos or taco salad because that is what we did.
The day started nice and early with a coffee at 7:15am. It was a time where the delegates could follow up with the candidates for the Board of Directors, Secretary, and Vice Speaker. Again, I didn't have much to do with this, but whole-heartedly took part in the coffee. We had a quick caucus before the House started with a plan of attack so to speak, and then headed to hopefully make more progress than the day prior.
And what progress was made immediately: The board withdrew RCs 5-9! They had realized that at this point, the RCs were too convoluted and wordsmithing them on the floor would take too much time with, perhaps, unequal return.
RC 10 - Passed - Opening the House document on therapy documentation beyond intervention to "plan of care"
RC 11 - Passed - Changed the wording of HOD p06-00-21-33 on PT and PTA regulation to require graduation from a PT education program accredited by CAPTE...where before it had just said "an accredited PT education program" without saying who it had to do the accreditation. Someone tried to amend the document by allowing newly graduated PTs who had not passed the boards practice as PTAs. I do not think that part passed, but I'll have to check the minutes when they are posted.
RC 12 - Withdrawn
RC13 - Defeated - Keeping all the wording of PT Patient/Client Management Model on Diagnosis present. While some thought it to be cumbersome and that having it in there was overkill as people should know that when we say we can diagnose, we mean everything that diagnosis entails, others made the point that they use this document in legal cases and having all the language there would be very helpful to continue to protect physical therapists.
RC14 - Withdrawn
RC15 - Withdrawn
RC16 - Defeated - but with GREAT difficulty. This was Arizona's tricky motion trying to replace PT with DPT as the regulatory designator...making it difficult to rationalize that those who had not achieved a DPT degree would be doctors. After discussion on the original wording, there was more on two proposed amendments, and finally all three were defeated. I don't know how long this went on, but it was fiery because people have very strong views on this topic. And again, refer to the minutes please, but I think this one took a standing counted vote. I am not sure and wish I had taken note, but I'll try to remember to follow up.
RC 17 - Withdrawn (see day 1 part 2)
RC 18 - Defeated - Keeping the Guidelines for Student and Employer Contracts as a House document. It was proposed to replace it with a document that the education staff are working on, but it is not completely finished. Also, it was thought that these were good for employers as well. A common agreement throughout this discussion was that in these days of high demand for PTs, students do need to take care not to eat up the best deal, and realize they are hooked in a facility that will not serve their development as a therapist well.
RC19 - Withdrawn
RC20 - Passed - To include web-bases and media APTA documents in a copyright.
RC21 - Withdrawn
RC22 - Passed - Adopting a position on professional development, lifelong learning, and continued competence in physical therapy as a house document. It outlines definitions of this and a method for reflecting back on this to see how one is practicing in comparison.
RC23 - Passed - The position on continuing education is now included in the document passed in the prior motion and so the document outlining just the position on cont. ed. is now unnecessary.
RC24 - Passed - Same as above but with regards to the position on professional development.
RC25 - Defeated - But again, a very long discussion - which I will leave for next time because we took a recess half way through and I need one now to continue the search for my wallet. My friend who had the bbq does not have it at his house and so it HAS to be here or I am in bad shape.
More to come on the rest of the house. Right now, picture the MA delegation caucusing pool-side and eating steak burritos or taco salad because that is what we did.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Days 2 and 3
Will have to catch you up on the last 3 days. And I apologize again for mistakes pointed out by my editor. Thanks Bo.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Still on Day 1
Sorry it is taking so long for me to get these up here. The devil is in the writing and then finding internet access to allow me to post. Also, I meant to say that all my comments on the RCs are my thoughts, thoughts gleaned from others, or thoughts that I got wrong. There have been times in my life that I have served as a fountain of misinformation. I hope all you readers are aware that if that indeed is the case I would welcome any and all corrections...ahHA, requesting constructive feedback... And lastly, before this blog entry really begins, I apologize for editorial errors, I am trying to get this up quickly and will read everything over and correct later, hopefully.
Day 1 : Part 3 - It starts . . .
I never knew they were so productive in the House of Delegates. As the HoD convened tonight, APTA President, Dr. R. Scott Ward described the electricity he experienced at his first house in 1983…yes, the year I was born. I felt that electricity tonight. The music was blaring, people were smiling and there was a general hubbub around every delegation as I entered the conference room. They quickly passed the first 4 (of about 40) motions, 3 honorary members and one allowing student status to be given for PTs in a residency or fellowship. Swimming along, I thought…
Then we hit the BoD’s motions. I think the general idea of these is to help “simplify” the process of bringing motions forward, and move toward a year round governance. Well, after much hemming and hawing over where the power was given to create a deadline was done over RC 5, they tabled it for first business Tuesday. RC 6 – RC 6 is a story in itself.
I stopped writing this at 1am Tuesday morning and have now opened it up again at 10:30 Tuesday night. It has been a very busy day.
Ok, so RC 6 – This RC was proposed a change in the timing of election of delegates to the delegation. Again, this is me thinking, which is very dangerous….but it was to encourage complete delegations that could deliberate over a greater time period throughout the year, allowing for efficient time for business to be accomplished. However, states that already have elections in place in the fall of each year were upset as adopting this would throw a wrench, so to speak, in the process they have set up which works well for them… and it does work well for them. The states disagreeing with this where those who regularly have well ordered and thought out motions before the house (or so I hear.) Then the parliamentarian made the point that adopting this would not force each state to change their process, it was just a recommendation. Thus, after some discussion, it was adopted.
Then RC 7 was brought forth. This motion proposed a change in the date when members in each state would be counted and delegate seats apportioned. As the House hashed through this, some implications of RC 6 started to appear, which those who had voted to pass had not thought of yet. The chief delegate of MA pointed out that now, if a state did not change their voting schedule in accordance with the “optional” guidelines set forth in RC 6, a delegation could be set but when apportioned, they would have to either get a new delegate if a seat were added, or “lop one off” if membership dropped and a seat had to be taken away. This caused a great deal of confusion on the floor. Questions were asked, frustrations were stated, points for and against were made, and finally it was moved that RC 6 be reconsidered. Upon going back to RC 6, the Board of Directors thought it would be best that RCs 6 and 7 be considered before the house reconvened Tuesday morning.
That was enough to squelch some of the emergent emotions that were becoming more and more prominent throughout each state’s delegation as well as the Board. However, RC 8 promised to play its best confusion act and throw a fog over the first day of the House. It brought forth a set of detailed guidelines that a motion would have to meet before it could be considered by the reference committee. Now, while I did say these guidelines were detailed, I should add they were meticulous enough to leave sufficient room for any what-if question that might cross a delegate’s mind. And up went the question-mark signs! Fortunately, and this is probably the only context in which this would be fortunate… RCs 5-7 had taken so long there was little time left for RC 8 and the House Day 1 was complete. The Board stuck around to discuss their ideas with the, er, stimulating RCs, and we caucused. I do love the word caucus. But things were not done yet…we got to go eat “fun size” portions of stale food in the Mexican category and stiff spinach stuffed mushrooms. Then we grabbed a bite to eat across the street along with about every other delegation staying at the Omni.
At this point, I really should mention that I was amped after the house recessed. Yes, with all the processing, questioning, and discussing in as calm a manner as ever, it was like the feeling you get right before a huge summer thunderstorm. The anticipation for what might come next, and who would get struck by lightening was very exciting.
End Day 1.
Coming up:
Day 2 – House of Delegates – Can they do it?
Day 1 : Part 3 - It starts . . .
I never knew they were so productive in the House of Delegates. As the HoD convened tonight, APTA President, Dr. R. Scott Ward described the electricity he experienced at his first house in 1983…yes, the year I was born. I felt that electricity tonight. The music was blaring, people were smiling and there was a general hubbub around every delegation as I entered the conference room. They quickly passed the first 4 (of about 40) motions, 3 honorary members and one allowing student status to be given for PTs in a residency or fellowship. Swimming along, I thought…
Then we hit the BoD’s motions. I think the general idea of these is to help “simplify” the process of bringing motions forward, and move toward a year round governance. Well, after much hemming and hawing over where the power was given to create a deadline was done over RC 5, they tabled it for first business Tuesday. RC 6 – RC 6 is a story in itself.
I stopped writing this at 1am Tuesday morning and have now opened it up again at 10:30 Tuesday night. It has been a very busy day.
Ok, so RC 6 – This RC was proposed a change in the timing of election of delegates to the delegation. Again, this is me thinking, which is very dangerous….but it was to encourage complete delegations that could deliberate over a greater time period throughout the year, allowing for efficient time for business to be accomplished. However, states that already have elections in place in the fall of each year were upset as adopting this would throw a wrench, so to speak, in the process they have set up which works well for them… and it does work well for them. The states disagreeing with this where those who regularly have well ordered and thought out motions before the house (or so I hear.) Then the parliamentarian made the point that adopting this would not force each state to change their process, it was just a recommendation. Thus, after some discussion, it was adopted.
Then RC 7 was brought forth. This motion proposed a change in the date when members in each state would be counted and delegate seats apportioned. As the House hashed through this, some implications of RC 6 started to appear, which those who had voted to pass had not thought of yet. The chief delegate of MA pointed out that now, if a state did not change their voting schedule in accordance with the “optional” guidelines set forth in RC 6, a delegation could be set but when apportioned, they would have to either get a new delegate if a seat were added, or “lop one off” if membership dropped and a seat had to be taken away. This caused a great deal of confusion on the floor. Questions were asked, frustrations were stated, points for and against were made, and finally it was moved that RC 6 be reconsidered. Upon going back to RC 6, the Board of Directors thought it would be best that RCs 6 and 7 be considered before the house reconvened Tuesday morning.
That was enough to squelch some of the emergent emotions that were becoming more and more prominent throughout each state’s delegation as well as the Board. However, RC 8 promised to play its best confusion act and throw a fog over the first day of the House. It brought forth a set of detailed guidelines that a motion would have to meet before it could be considered by the reference committee. Now, while I did say these guidelines were detailed, I should add they were meticulous enough to leave sufficient room for any what-if question that might cross a delegate’s mind. And up went the question-mark signs! Fortunately, and this is probably the only context in which this would be fortunate… RCs 5-7 had taken so long there was little time left for RC 8 and the House Day 1 was complete. The Board stuck around to discuss their ideas with the, er, stimulating RCs, and we caucused. I do love the word caucus. But things were not done yet…we got to go eat “fun size” portions of stale food in the Mexican category and stiff spinach stuffed mushrooms. Then we grabbed a bite to eat across the street along with about every other delegation staying at the Omni.
At this point, I really should mention that I was amped after the house recessed. Yes, with all the processing, questioning, and discussing in as calm a manner as ever, it was like the feeling you get right before a huge summer thunderstorm. The anticipation for what might come next, and who would get struck by lightening was very exciting.
End Day 1.
Coming up:
Day 2 – House of Delegates – Can they do it?
Monday, May 21, 2007
Day 1 : Part 2
Alright already…time to see these delegates in action. Really though, I can’t complain. After posting the last blog entry I walked around the hotel here and it is beautiful! Wide rounded staircases lead to curved grassy areas with tables scattered around patios and hammocks in the shade and sun. Of course I had to have a slight emergency - as I was walking down one of those staircases, I missed a step and spilled coffee on the sleeve of my pinstriped blazer. I should mention, though, how fortunate I am not to have spilled it on my white pants. J
Anyway, we finally caucused and I listened to discussion about the candidates for the Board of Directors. It was a little difficult to get exact ideas of what people were saying as I hadn’t seen the interviews. On the other hand, I was very interested to hear how the delegates were going about pinpointing what type of candidate they were looking for, what each should have focused on, and how their performance in the interviews related to what they knew of the candidate in “real life.” Then, they would roll all that together and see if it fit where they saw the profession going. If I do get slated to run for student assembly, this will be very useful as I pick out my strengths and weaknesses and order them to best enable me to work the student agenda into the progression of the entire profession of physical therapy.
Other news that I picked up in shreds was that MA is removing RC 17. In short, the motion was to get at the evolving idea that PT is a brand. It laid out groundwork to unify those within the profession in what initials they put after their names. I think one of the main points was that putting all the certification initials after PT can cheapen that brand. It can appear, for example, that PTs are not qualified to prescribe an exercise program to a person without CSCS after their name along with the PT. Apparently discussion surrounding it became more about who could put what initials after their names, while the main idea of the motion was lost in the kafuffle. At this point, it is a matter of why waste the House’s time in discussion when that discussion will not be productive toward an end beyond a recipe for alphabet soup.
And again, I may now head out for some internet access so I can post this. Hope all is going well for you all…especially my classmates who are starting classes today. Sorry I can’t be with you, well, um, sorta. J
Anyway, we finally caucused and I listened to discussion about the candidates for the Board of Directors. It was a little difficult to get exact ideas of what people were saying as I hadn’t seen the interviews. On the other hand, I was very interested to hear how the delegates were going about pinpointing what type of candidate they were looking for, what each should have focused on, and how their performance in the interviews related to what they knew of the candidate in “real life.” Then, they would roll all that together and see if it fit where they saw the profession going. If I do get slated to run for student assembly, this will be very useful as I pick out my strengths and weaknesses and order them to best enable me to work the student agenda into the progression of the entire profession of physical therapy.
Other news that I picked up in shreds was that MA is removing RC 17. In short, the motion was to get at the evolving idea that PT is a brand. It laid out groundwork to unify those within the profession in what initials they put after their names. I think one of the main points was that putting all the certification initials after PT can cheapen that brand. It can appear, for example, that PTs are not qualified to prescribe an exercise program to a person without CSCS after their name along with the PT. Apparently discussion surrounding it became more about who could put what initials after their names, while the main idea of the motion was lost in the kafuffle. At this point, it is a matter of why waste the House’s time in discussion when that discussion will not be productive toward an end beyond a recipe for alphabet soup.
And again, I may now head out for some internet access so I can post this. Hope all is going well for you all…especially my classmates who are starting classes today. Sorry I can’t be with you, well, um, sorta. J
Day 1 - Part 1 - DC
May 21, 2007
I am in DC! My Dad and I left at around noon from MA in a Monte Carlo rental car, a CD player and no CDs, and luggage enough for a week’s stay here in ole Virginia. The trip was really uneventful. We stopped at a diner in CT for lunch, a rest stop in MD for dinner, and made it to our hotel in Crystal City at 9ish. We really cruised down here. After getting settled into the hotel we took a walk over to the Hilton across the street where I’d be picking up a shuttle to the Omni Shoreham Hotel and then hopped back in the car to drive to the Omni so I could do a quick 10min explore of the conference center. We got back to the hotel around midnight and were asleep around 1am. Now, here I have to mention my mattress. This thing is the coolest! It is a sleep number bed and my new favorite toy. I tried it on 25 last night which is very soft. I was worried that I would wake up sore this morning, but planned to try it on a more firm setting the next night. However, I woke up so rested, even at 5:15 this morning, so I think I might keep it at that setting. Laying down and changing the firmness of the mattress is a great deal of fun as well. I can’t wait to tell people all about it.
As I mentioned, I was up at 5:15 this morning. See, I am not an official part of the MA delegation. I am just here to observe the whole process. So, when I checked my schedule yesterday I had written in “7am potential MA caucus.” But I had no way of knowing if that potential was now kinetic. :) Anyway, I called a student who texted me back and said she was joining the delegation around 11:30am, but I didn’t get that message until about 5:50 this morning. Ah well. Dad and I hit up starbucks and I caught the shuttle (a charter bus) over to the Omni where I sit at this moment. I keep thinking I hear Aimee Klein’s voice which is a little scary because she could creep up on me at any moment. Not that that would be on her list of priorities now since she is on the Board of Directors and has to bring the HoD through RC 8…it has the potential to be a real messy one to say the least.…wow I really thought I just heard her again. I just finished the next paragraph of this and saw her…so I was right. We’ll see if she recognizes the back of my head. I just lightened my hair, so she really may not. She did.
Now I am trying to get some internet access in the lobby, but I can’t. There is some wireless around…it just isn’t acquiring the address. Maybe the Omni is blocking it so I have to pay $10 to get on their network. I dunno. I would pay the money actually…but I think it requires a room number and I certainly could not afford to stay here on my $300 stipend. Hopefully I can post this tonight to keep people updated on what happens down here.
Plan of the Day:
I do think I have been hanging out with military people too much that I have to have a plan of the day, or really that I just call it the plan of the day.
7:30am – 11:30am: Observation Hours – Sitting in the lobby and observing everyone. This may be one of my favorite parts, we’ll see. But I like to see how people interact, what people wear, the guy who just sprinted through the lobby with papers in his hand. I just met the first woman private practitioner. She is sitting right across from me at this sitting area in the lobby. So those are observation hours.
11:40-12:50pm: MA Caucus. I finally get to meet up with the MA delegation and catch up on what has gone down over the last day or so. They are all really great and very willing to help the other student and I understand anything they can. I am fortunate as well that they are very involved in the House. Maybe delegates from other states don’t appreciate their constant input, but I do. It keeps me on my toes trying to keep up with all of them.
12:50-3:00 – TBD. These open times (eg. observation hours and this one) are because I am not able to sit on the candidate interviews. Who knows what I’ll end up doing at this point.
3:00-4:30 – More MA Caucus
4:30-8:00 – The House of Delegates convenes!!! I can’t really expound on this since I have never experienced it, but be sure there will be much more comment to come!!
Alright, maybe observation hours are up for now. Maybe it will be explore/find internet access.
I am in DC! My Dad and I left at around noon from MA in a Monte Carlo rental car, a CD player and no CDs, and luggage enough for a week’s stay here in ole Virginia. The trip was really uneventful. We stopped at a diner in CT for lunch, a rest stop in MD for dinner, and made it to our hotel in Crystal City at 9ish. We really cruised down here. After getting settled into the hotel we took a walk over to the Hilton across the street where I’d be picking up a shuttle to the Omni Shoreham Hotel and then hopped back in the car to drive to the Omni so I could do a quick 10min explore of the conference center. We got back to the hotel around midnight and were asleep around 1am. Now, here I have to mention my mattress. This thing is the coolest! It is a sleep number bed and my new favorite toy. I tried it on 25 last night which is very soft. I was worried that I would wake up sore this morning, but planned to try it on a more firm setting the next night. However, I woke up so rested, even at 5:15 this morning, so I think I might keep it at that setting. Laying down and changing the firmness of the mattress is a great deal of fun as well. I can’t wait to tell people all about it.
As I mentioned, I was up at 5:15 this morning. See, I am not an official part of the MA delegation. I am just here to observe the whole process. So, when I checked my schedule yesterday I had written in “7am potential MA caucus.” But I had no way of knowing if that potential was now kinetic. :) Anyway, I called a student who texted me back and said she was joining the delegation around 11:30am, but I didn’t get that message until about 5:50 this morning. Ah well. Dad and I hit up starbucks and I caught the shuttle (a charter bus) over to the Omni where I sit at this moment. I keep thinking I hear Aimee Klein’s voice which is a little scary because she could creep up on me at any moment. Not that that would be on her list of priorities now since she is on the Board of Directors and has to bring the HoD through RC 8…it has the potential to be a real messy one to say the least.…wow I really thought I just heard her again. I just finished the next paragraph of this and saw her…so I was right. We’ll see if she recognizes the back of my head. I just lightened my hair, so she really may not. She did.
Now I am trying to get some internet access in the lobby, but I can’t. There is some wireless around…it just isn’t acquiring the address. Maybe the Omni is blocking it so I have to pay $10 to get on their network. I dunno. I would pay the money actually…but I think it requires a room number and I certainly could not afford to stay here on my $300 stipend. Hopefully I can post this tonight to keep people updated on what happens down here.
Plan of the Day:
I do think I have been hanging out with military people too much that I have to have a plan of the day, or really that I just call it the plan of the day.
7:30am – 11:30am: Observation Hours – Sitting in the lobby and observing everyone. This may be one of my favorite parts, we’ll see. But I like to see how people interact, what people wear, the guy who just sprinted through the lobby with papers in his hand. I just met the first woman private practitioner. She is sitting right across from me at this sitting area in the lobby. So those are observation hours.
11:40-12:50pm: MA Caucus. I finally get to meet up with the MA delegation and catch up on what has gone down over the last day or so. They are all really great and very willing to help the other student and I understand anything they can. I am fortunate as well that they are very involved in the House. Maybe delegates from other states don’t appreciate their constant input, but I do. It keeps me on my toes trying to keep up with all of them.
12:50-3:00 – TBD. These open times (eg. observation hours and this one) are because I am not able to sit on the candidate interviews. Who knows what I’ll end up doing at this point.
3:00-4:30 – More MA Caucus
4:30-8:00 – The House of Delegates convenes!!! I can’t really expound on this since I have never experienced it, but be sure there will be much more comment to come!!
Alright, maybe observation hours are up for now. Maybe it will be explore/find internet access.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Been a while...
Wow, I have really been slacking on the posting. I guess the weather got nice and I took advantage. Sitting inside facing a computer screen takes the back burner to mini golf, wiffleball, baseball, softball, tennis, etc, etc. What's been going on?
Clinic - very good, but almost done. 2 weeks left with an inservice this Tuesday. It is a case study on a patient with cauda equina syndrome. You know, there is VERY little literature on the best techniques for Tx, or prognosis, or progression, or presentation of traumatic CES. As far as treatment, I'd say you treat the impairments to maximize the function - basically PT bread and butter. BUT, you then have to start the whole discussion of whether improvement is from neurological return or therapy induced. Hard to say...and it depends on each case. So, that is this week, with just 9 total days left of this second clinical.
School - Not much on this front...but we've sent in our top choices for the year long internship. We have to send resumes and cover letters, then wait to see if we're offered interviews. After the interviews, the students rank the places they looked at, the places rank the students they saw, and the clinical coordinators make a match. I am mostly looking at splits (half IP, half OP) and my top choices are MGH and Brigham and Women's I think. I also am going to apply for the one with Harvard University's sports med clinic because that is what I want to do in real life so even if I have to do an IP rotation, at least I can get the experience interviewing there. Classes start up the week of May 21. I'll be in DC that week at the APTA House of Delegates and Advocacy Academy. (See next bullet)
APTA stuff - Yes! This gets its own bullet! :) I have been going to the MA delegation meetings and am fascinated by the discussion, strategy, and good humor at each meeting. I cannot wait for the state assembly meeting this coming week.
Family - The fam is doing well also. Ben is choosing between law schools, finishing up college and graduating the 12th of May I think. Jon is finishing up prep school and graduating the 18th of May I think. Lydia, Kitty and CJ are all not quite as close to being done for the summer...sometime in June. Mom and Dad are getting ready for a bike tour in NY next weekend.
Sports - Softball started again and my shoulder didn't even pop out yet! My neck was very sore the next day though and I had a headache. I am much to young to be this old. It is sad actually. Tennis is a new favorite too. I didn't get to play this weekend, but it is becoming something a few of us do together...getting ready for the next ACE (armatures competing and exercising) tennis tourney that we set up to do at lunch when classes are back in session. Some people are trying to get a whole system going with kickball and wiffleball too. It should be a good summer.
Ok, now I am tired of this. Good update though.
Hope all is well! Good luck to those finishing up clinic, classes, etc!!
Clinic - very good, but almost done. 2 weeks left with an inservice this Tuesday. It is a case study on a patient with cauda equina syndrome. You know, there is VERY little literature on the best techniques for Tx, or prognosis, or progression, or presentation of traumatic CES. As far as treatment, I'd say you treat the impairments to maximize the function - basically PT bread and butter. BUT, you then have to start the whole discussion of whether improvement is from neurological return or therapy induced. Hard to say...and it depends on each case. So, that is this week, with just 9 total days left of this second clinical.
School - Not much on this front...but we've sent in our top choices for the year long internship. We have to send resumes and cover letters, then wait to see if we're offered interviews. After the interviews, the students rank the places they looked at, the places rank the students they saw, and the clinical coordinators make a match. I am mostly looking at splits (half IP, half OP) and my top choices are MGH and Brigham and Women's I think. I also am going to apply for the one with Harvard University's sports med clinic because that is what I want to do in real life so even if I have to do an IP rotation, at least I can get the experience interviewing there. Classes start up the week of May 21. I'll be in DC that week at the APTA House of Delegates and Advocacy Academy. (See next bullet)
APTA stuff - Yes! This gets its own bullet! :) I have been going to the MA delegation meetings and am fascinated by the discussion, strategy, and good humor at each meeting. I cannot wait for the state assembly meeting this coming week.
Family - The fam is doing well also. Ben is choosing between law schools, finishing up college and graduating the 12th of May I think. Jon is finishing up prep school and graduating the 18th of May I think. Lydia, Kitty and CJ are all not quite as close to being done for the summer...sometime in June. Mom and Dad are getting ready for a bike tour in NY next weekend.
Sports - Softball started again and my shoulder didn't even pop out yet! My neck was very sore the next day though and I had a headache. I am much to young to be this old. It is sad actually. Tennis is a new favorite too. I didn't get to play this weekend, but it is becoming something a few of us do together...getting ready for the next ACE (armatures competing and exercising) tennis tourney that we set up to do at lunch when classes are back in session. Some people are trying to get a whole system going with kickball and wiffleball too. It should be a good summer.
Ok, now I am tired of this. Good update though.
Hope all is well! Good luck to those finishing up clinic, classes, etc!!
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Thinking...
With the tragedy in VA yesterday I wanted to write something, but words at this point are meaningless...at least mine are. My prayers do go out to all who have been hit by this senseless violence. Even while deeply saddened that something like this could happen, it makes me realize how amazing people can be in times of trial. Stories of heroism, quick thinking, sacrifice leave me wondering what I would do if put to the test. There is no way to know. But to think that the same person who might cut you off on the highway could be the kind of person who would help you out a window to safety...or the same faculty member with whom you had a disagreement might barricade a door and give up his/her own life to save a classroom of students. Human beings can be capable of poor judgement, cynical thinking, or horrendous acts such as this shooting, but human beings can also be great in moments when greatness is needed most. God Bless VT. 
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Oh wow.
Sorry to have a few very "all about me" posts. But when I talked about reaching by jumping, I think I also mentioned falling. Here come the falls.
First, there was the fall into the toilet by my phone.
Then I fell asleep through the alarm.
That afternoon I had less of a fall and more of an electrocution by an estim unit.
The next day, I almost fell, tripping down the hall...
But experienced LOTS of falling rain and falling hail on my way home.
I really hope that is all there is. I am not in the mood for any more falling....still holding on tight!
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Down the Toilet.
Today started off great. My midterm review went very well, I saw a bunch of patients, and headed off after work to catch my college team's softball game vs. Wentworth downtown. They even won and I caught up with some of my friends who are still on the team. That is where it turned bad. I hopped on the T and the driver insisted I owed him a dollar...untrue. Then I hit Wendy's since I was STARVING (hadn't eaten in almost 8 hours) and while going to the bathroom my phone fell out of my pocket and into the toilet. Super. Now my phone is soaked, I am out of money and I still have to get home. Well, I did get home, but I have to deal with the busted phone. Hopefully it dries out, but we'll see. Anyway, even though I doubt a lot of people read this... if you need to get in touch with me, email me. Yeesh.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Letter of Intent
I wrote this up today for an application for a stipend to help fund my trip to DC in May. Here is most of it. It gives you a window to the serious Laura. :)
I am very excited to attend the Advocacy Academy in Washington, DC this year. Throughout my two years at the MGH Institute of Health Professions, my interest in legislative affairs related to physical therapy has grown. While maintaining solid standing in both my academic and clinical education, I have become involved in other activities to strengthen the professional aspect of my education. As community representative for the Institute’s PT Club, I have been involved in events to promote community awareness of physical therapy and fundraise for the Pittsburg-Marquette Challenge. Our most recent event raised over $3000 for the Foundation for Physical Therapy, drawing in students from two other PT programs and members of the general public. We provided PT students with information on membership in the APTA and how they can be more active, as well as giving information about the profession of physical therapy to those community members who were part of the event.
In my role as student liaison, I have worked to make my classmates aware of current bills before congress and encourage them to take action regarding that legislation. I believe that students need to take a more active role in advocating for their profession, and in turn, for their future patients. If we as future clinicians can assume ownership of professional responsibility, the progression of physical therapy as a profession will be in very capable hands for decades to come. Through this realization, I have found a passion to become more involved in the APTA, and a desire to extend that enthusiasm to others. I think that student involvement often breeds further student involvement, and to help with this, I want to build a foundation that would most enable me to work toward this goal.
I am hoping to be slated for Student Assembly in October. If I am able to run for office, it will be of utmost importance that I am able to understand where the profession of physical therapy stands regarding federal and state issues as well as within its own professional association. I have recently started attending the MA delegation meetings and plan to attend the national House of Delegates prior to the Advocacy Academy. It will be an excellent opportunity for me to learn how to be an advocate, so that I can efficiently represent the students to the APTA, and as I progress as a professional, represent the APTA to federal and local lawmakers.
As a student member in the APTA for almost two years, I have come to see the importance of membership on one’s professional association. Beyond the benefits of publications and career advancement opportunities, it provides a way for a person’s voice to be heard nationally. It is an exciting time to be in physical therapy with regards to advances in research, practice, and education. The association has played a very large role in these areas, but it is important that the profession is able to utilize these advancements to capacity. It is the act of members serving members that makes this happen.
In the last year, I have seen this service of members to members and non-members alike at National Student Conclave in Dallas, and CSM in Boston. At Conclave I was able to attend many sections on clinical practice, advocacy, student assembly, and professionalism. With CSM in Boston, I was able to fill each day with a variety of events including the forum on the regulatory designator and the PT-PAC luncheon. The meetings served, in large part, as sparks to ignite what was already a growing interest in matters of the association into a passion to take an active role in the APTA. I see attendance at the Advocacy Academy as preparation for my own participation in advancement of the physical therapy profession.
I am very excited to attend the Advocacy Academy in Washington, DC this year. Throughout my two years at the MGH Institute of Health Professions, my interest in legislative affairs related to physical therapy has grown. While maintaining solid standing in both my academic and clinical education, I have become involved in other activities to strengthen the professional aspect of my education. As community representative for the Institute’s PT Club, I have been involved in events to promote community awareness of physical therapy and fundraise for the Pittsburg-Marquette Challenge. Our most recent event raised over $3000 for the Foundation for Physical Therapy, drawing in students from two other PT programs and members of the general public. We provided PT students with information on membership in the APTA and how they can be more active, as well as giving information about the profession of physical therapy to those community members who were part of the event.
In my role as student liaison, I have worked to make my classmates aware of current bills before congress and encourage them to take action regarding that legislation. I believe that students need to take a more active role in advocating for their profession, and in turn, for their future patients. If we as future clinicians can assume ownership of professional responsibility, the progression of physical therapy as a profession will be in very capable hands for decades to come. Through this realization, I have found a passion to become more involved in the APTA, and a desire to extend that enthusiasm to others. I think that student involvement often breeds further student involvement, and to help with this, I want to build a foundation that would most enable me to work toward this goal.
I am hoping to be slated for Student Assembly in October. If I am able to run for office, it will be of utmost importance that I am able to understand where the profession of physical therapy stands regarding federal and state issues as well as within its own professional association. I have recently started attending the MA delegation meetings and plan to attend the national House of Delegates prior to the Advocacy Academy. It will be an excellent opportunity for me to learn how to be an advocate, so that I can efficiently represent the students to the APTA, and as I progress as a professional, represent the APTA to federal and local lawmakers.
As a student member in the APTA for almost two years, I have come to see the importance of membership on one’s professional association. Beyond the benefits of publications and career advancement opportunities, it provides a way for a person’s voice to be heard nationally. It is an exciting time to be in physical therapy with regards to advances in research, practice, and education. The association has played a very large role in these areas, but it is important that the profession is able to utilize these advancements to capacity. It is the act of members serving members that makes this happen.
In the last year, I have seen this service of members to members and non-members alike at National Student Conclave in Dallas, and CSM in Boston. At Conclave I was able to attend many sections on clinical practice, advocacy, student assembly, and professionalism. With CSM in Boston, I was able to fill each day with a variety of events including the forum on the regulatory designator and the PT-PAC luncheon. The meetings served, in large part, as sparks to ignite what was already a growing interest in matters of the association into a passion to take an active role in the APTA. I see attendance at the Advocacy Academy as preparation for my own participation in advancement of the physical therapy profession.
Easter!
What a weekend! I made it home Friday night in time for the Good Friday service at my church. It is very dramatic. The pastor reads through the story of Christ's crucifixion with hymns interspersed. Then at the end, he reads the last seven things Christ speaks as he is dying and after each one some lights are turned off in the sanctuary. Finally he reads the last words and all the lights are out. Then people get up and leave without saying a word to each other.
On Saturday we all worked to get ready for having Easter dinner at our house. Lydia and I went looking for her outfit and to escape some chores. :) Jon brought 2 friends home from the Naval Academy Prep School and they got in around 11:30pm. We talked until about 2am and finally I went to bed only to get up at 6:30am so I could get a shower. 2 showers with 10 people needing one in the morning was my motivation. Then we did the Easter basket deal and all got ready to go to breakfast at church. All the men in the church make a huge breakfast with pancakes and eggs and sausage and bacon and hash browns etc etc etc. It is so fun to come in and see everyone all dressed up. Church was great too. Then we went home to host 10 more family members for Easter dinner. By the time dessert rolled around we were ready for naps. BUT that didn't keep us from playing a 9 inning game of wiffleball then hanging out in the living room telling stories of when we were little and got in trouble ... or how we got out of trouble. Jon and his friends left at 8pm and Lydia, Kitty and I watched home videos of when I was 4 and Ben was 3. We were soooo cute. :)
And now it is back to clinic tomorrow. Whew.
On Saturday we all worked to get ready for having Easter dinner at our house. Lydia and I went looking for her outfit and to escape some chores. :) Jon brought 2 friends home from the Naval Academy Prep School and they got in around 11:30pm. We talked until about 2am and finally I went to bed only to get up at 6:30am so I could get a shower. 2 showers with 10 people needing one in the morning was my motivation. Then we did the Easter basket deal and all got ready to go to breakfast at church. All the men in the church make a huge breakfast with pancakes and eggs and sausage and bacon and hash browns etc etc etc. It is so fun to come in and see everyone all dressed up. Church was great too. Then we went home to host 10 more family members for Easter dinner. By the time dessert rolled around we were ready for naps. BUT that didn't keep us from playing a 9 inning game of wiffleball then hanging out in the living room telling stories of when we were little and got in trouble ... or how we got out of trouble. Jon and his friends left at 8pm and Lydia, Kitty and I watched home videos of when I was 4 and Ben was 3. We were soooo cute. :)
And now it is back to clinic tomorrow. Whew.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
My new suit
That title gave everything away. I got a new suit today. The process of finding a suit was not very fun for me...but at the same time, it was super. Granted, I was pleased the sun decided to shine on my venture...but it was colder than I had expected this morning so I took the T. It was crowded and stuffy and basically the green line during rush-hour. But I did make it to Filene's Basement without too much trouble. Note to self and others - try never to go there again with a backpack. I hit too many people with it and spent a great deal of time apologizing. Anyway, enough with all the bad stuff. I walked into the suit section and realized why they print on their bags "I just got a bargain!" Lots of great suits for less! I grabbed about 4, which turned out to be a lot to carry, and a couple shirts to try them on with. The first 3 I tried on had those old-lady-up-over-the-bellybutton waists which I am not really a fan of. It was also VERY hot in there. I wanted to try on swimming suits and not business suits. In the end, the first suit I grabbed off the rack first was the one I ended up with. It is perfect! Seersucker, navy pinstripes, good waist on the pant - a very comfortable combo. AND it was 25% off. Sold! Well, it wasn't sold yet, but the lady who rang it up was also very excited about my purchase, commenting on what a good looking suit it was, and so versatile, just change the shoes or don't wear the jacket, etc. She was a fan. I am too.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
New Legislature
There are a few new bills before Congress. PLEASE, read through this and get in touch with your congressmen. I know it is long, but it is important. AND, if you don't think these are, please comment. I would love for anyone who disagrees to state why so I am not just preaching to the choir. (That does not mean that I will preach at you instead. I would like to know what people are thinking.)
The following is the result of discussion between myself and another PT student Eugene Babenko.
HR1134 - The Physical Therapist Student Loan Repayment Eligibility Act.
Enabling physical therapists to participate in the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program by adding PT to the definition of primary health care services.
HR 748/S. 450 - The Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act
Repeal the cap on therapy services for Medicare beneficiaries once and for all. If Congress does not take action by January 1, 2008, the therapy cap will again be imposed on Medicare-covered physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech language pathology services.
HR 1552/S. 93 - The Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapist Act
Recognizing the ability of licensed physical therapists to evaluate and treat beneficiaries requiring outpatient physical therapy services under Part B of the Medicare program and eliminates burdensome requirements, such as a physician's referral or certification of the plan of care, as permitted by state law.
If you would like to take action, please head to the Legislative Action Center.
Or click:
www.apta.org/advocacy
If you're not totally convinced I urge you to keep reading.
With regard to HR1134, I think any legislation being passed that acknowledges the PT profession as a primary health care service is a vital step towards VISION 2020. This specific bill is a great continuation of the multiple efforts of our profession to reach out to the under served. In addition, student debt is an overwhelming aspect to becoming a PT and has been cited as a barrier of many potential candidates entering the profession. Short of academic institutions lowering their tuitions this bill is a vital component in helping to relieve this problem.
Unfortunately, often times students are so focused on their studies that they are unaware of important opportunities to realize how governmental affairs can affect them. The Legislative Action Center that the APTA provides for its members has been a key to getting students involved in the legislative process.
With the introduction of HR 748/S. 450 and HR 1552/S. 93 students really do need to take a more active role in advocating for their profession, and in turn, for their future patients. Having all three bills currently in congress would be a great accomplishment for the advancement of Physical Therapy. If we as future clinicians can assume ownership of professional responsibility and realize the magnitude of this, the progression of physical therapy will be in very capable hands for decades to come.
The following is the result of discussion between myself and another PT student Eugene Babenko.
HR1134 - The Physical Therapist Student Loan Repayment Eligibility Act.
Enabling physical therapists to participate in the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program by adding PT to the definition of primary health care services.
HR 748/S. 450 - The Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act
Repeal the cap on therapy services for Medicare beneficiaries once and for all. If Congress does not take action by January 1, 2008, the therapy cap will again be imposed on Medicare-covered physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech language pathology services.
HR 1552/S. 93 - The Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapist Act
Recognizing the ability of licensed physical therapists to evaluate and treat beneficiaries requiring outpatient physical therapy services under Part B of the Medicare program and eliminates burdensome requirements, such as a physician's referral or certification of the plan of care, as permitted by state law.
If you would like to take action, please head to the Legislative Action Center.
Or click:
www.apta.org/advocacy
If you're not totally convinced I urge you to keep reading.
With regard to HR1134, I think any legislation being passed that acknowledges the PT profession as a primary health care service is a vital step towards VISION 2020. This specific bill is a great continuation of the multiple efforts of our profession to reach out to the under served. In addition, student debt is an overwhelming aspect to becoming a PT and has been cited as a barrier of many potential candidates entering the profession. Short of academic institutions lowering their tuitions this bill is a vital component in helping to relieve this problem.
Unfortunately, often times students are so focused on their studies that they are unaware of important opportunities to realize how governmental affairs can affect them. The Legislative Action Center that the APTA provides for its members has been a key to getting students involved in the legislative process.
With the introduction of HR 748/S. 450 and HR 1552/S. 93 students really do need to take a more active role in advocating for their profession, and in turn, for their future patients. Having all three bills currently in congress would be a great accomplishment for the advancement of Physical Therapy. If we as future clinicians can assume ownership of professional responsibility and realize the magnitude of this, the progression of physical therapy will be in very capable hands for decades to come.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
No more observation!
First of all, I miss my CI. She's been at RIC for a course on Amputees and Prosthetics since Thursday and will be back tomorrow. The clinic schedules out a month in advance, so in March they fill April. I guess they didn't plan ahead for me to take over her schedule and so I was put with other therapists in the clinic for Thursday, Friday, Monday and Tuesday (today)... This is not to say they aren't great therapists. I saw lots of stuff - the Locomat, pressure mapping for w/c seating, different methods of w/c control, I did a new CVA eval, helped with lots of patients for gait or the standing frame... but... I did a lot of observation. Which at first was great. It is always good to see other therapists and their styles. But it got pretty boring. I am very excited to start my caseload again! Hopefully I'll have 4-5 treats, an eval and a discharge. Also, my CI and I are going to help out with a pump trial...baclofen for increased tone I think.
Today I also participated in my first live draft for fantasy baseball. It was fun because a few guys from college set it up and I got to talk to them in the draft chat room while we were picking our players. My 12y/o brother (Christian) helped me figure out who I wanted to snag in the first few rounds. Actually, he gave me a list of the top 10-15 players for each position. I wanted him to be my co-owner since I get busy and forget to look at stuff, and he knows baseball better than I do, but he didn't want to do it... So, I had to settle for second best. ;)
Today I also participated in my first live draft for fantasy baseball. It was fun because a few guys from college set it up and I got to talk to them in the draft chat room while we were picking our players. My 12y/o brother (Christian) helped me figure out who I wanted to snag in the first few rounds. Actually, he gave me a list of the top 10-15 players for each position. I wanted him to be my co-owner since I get busy and forget to look at stuff, and he knows baseball better than I do, but he didn't want to do it... So, I had to settle for second best. ;)
Monday, April 2, 2007
Opening Day!
"You always get a special kick on opening day, no matter how many you go through. You look forward to it like a birthday party when you're a kid. You think something wonderful is going to happen." - Joe DiMaggio
It is true. As we finished up with our last patient today around 4:30, some of the staff had come into the gym to work out and turned the game on. Just hearing the sounds in the background made me remember spring and summer and early fall. I have to settle for Red Sox games here in Beantown... but I am a baseball fan first and it was exciting. It was cold and raw as I walked around North Station and smelled Half-Time Pizza, so I hopped on the shuttle and the driver had the game on over the speakers. I got a shiver down my spine when the royals scored 2 runs on a double in the corner - really, a shiver due to excitement, not cold. And the Yankees won. :) If you can't tell from this post, I am a huge baseball fan. My entire family plays baseball, except my mom. My brother Ben (22) plays for Franklin Pierce in NH - they went to the DII world series last year. Jon (19) is at the Naval Academy Prep School playing ball and will play at Annapolis next year. Lydia (17) and Kitty (16) both played tball and will play wiffleball with us all summer long, and CJ (12 - almost 13) plays babe ruth and is trying out for his Jr High team even though he is just in 6th grade. I played little league and babe ruth - i made the sr league team too but someone didn't give me the message until a couple months late. Hmmm. Then I switched over and played softball in college. It was just DIII, but it was fun.
I am also very pleased that I finished filling out the midterm section of my clinical performance instrument (that 24 point self evaluation that we're supposed to compare with our CI at midpoint in our clinicals.) Which brings up that we are actually at half-way this weekend. I do not feel as if it has been that long, the time is flying by and it is a bit scary. I am sure around week 7 it will seem very long, but for now I am racing, trying to keep my feet under me as things speed past or around or something like that.
It is true. As we finished up with our last patient today around 4:30, some of the staff had come into the gym to work out and turned the game on. Just hearing the sounds in the background made me remember spring and summer and early fall. I have to settle for Red Sox games here in Beantown... but I am a baseball fan first and it was exciting. It was cold and raw as I walked around North Station and smelled Half-Time Pizza, so I hopped on the shuttle and the driver had the game on over the speakers. I got a shiver down my spine when the royals scored 2 runs on a double in the corner - really, a shiver due to excitement, not cold. And the Yankees won. :) If you can't tell from this post, I am a huge baseball fan. My entire family plays baseball, except my mom. My brother Ben (22) plays for Franklin Pierce in NH - they went to the DII world series last year. Jon (19) is at the Naval Academy Prep School playing ball and will play at Annapolis next year. Lydia (17) and Kitty (16) both played tball and will play wiffleball with us all summer long, and CJ (12 - almost 13) plays babe ruth and is trying out for his Jr High team even though he is just in 6th grade. I played little league and babe ruth - i made the sr league team too but someone didn't give me the message until a couple months late. Hmmm. Then I switched over and played softball in college. It was just DIII, but it was fun.
I am also very pleased that I finished filling out the midterm section of my clinical performance instrument (that 24 point self evaluation that we're supposed to compare with our CI at midpoint in our clinicals.) Which brings up that we are actually at half-way this weekend. I do not feel as if it has been that long, the time is flying by and it is a bit scary. I am sure around week 7 it will seem very long, but for now I am racing, trying to keep my feet under me as things speed past or around or something like that.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
A little something about the "heaht"
So I have been discussing an EKG for the last 40 min or so...and some time last night. I just thought I could put some thoughts together here since it isn't for school and then if anyone has feedback to offer please add! Below is the EKG and I can't make it bigger with it staying clear, which is unfortunate.
I am almost 100% sure this is bigeminy. Now, what you would do as a PT in this situation depends on how the patient and his EKG respond to exercise. In this case, he is getting it at the 3rd station of exercises, and his systolic BP has dropped over 30 points (if I remember correctly.) As far as why - I think it is because BP = CO x PVR. With a PVC, stroke volume decreases with each ectopic beat, decreasing CO (which = HR x SV) thus decreasing the BP. And so I would stop the exercise, keep an eye on his EKG as well as his symptoms and report the arrhythmia to the MD. I don't think in this case it is too out of the ordinary to see this, because, in the history I have not disclosed yet the patient is s/p an MI. Arrhythmias after an MI are more common for a few reasons. One is that an MI really changes the chemical balances within the heart, which can change the contractility. Another could be due to the area of the prior infarct. Perhaps conduction fibers were damaged/killed, perhaps changing automaticity or rhythmicity of the myocardial cells. I might not have the pathophysiology completely correct here, and certainly there is a great deal more, but this helped put my thoughts in order. Thanks Kate Grimes and Cardiopulm and SIM-ma'am.
Whew, bed time...
Here we go again...
The only two blogs I have ever read with interest were blogs of substance. The first author works for the National Review and I have since lost where his blog is. The second actually blogs at a blog spot - http://studentpt.blogspot.com/. Bo, (the author of the student PT blog to which I am referring) has inspired me to begin to blog again. If you are looking for fantastic and in depth comments on PT, politics, books, stamps, life, or more... then go over to that one. If you want to follow my attempts then stick around here.
"To reach by jumping" is what my last name "Doskocil" means in Czech. My great-grandmother and great-grandfather came over from what was then Czechoslovakia when they were children. We are from the Bohemian part - not Slovakian. And that is my family explanation for the day.
However, the blog title has a multi-focal purpose. I feel as though life is made up of lots of little jumps, some longer than others, landings may be hard or soft, sometimes you fall, sometimes you fly, sometimes you end up where you thought you would, and sometimes it takes more jumps than you expect to get where you were trying to go. Anyway, this blog will be about the day-to-day or day-year jumps I am making, or that people around me are making. I will try to make it informative and interesting for everyone who reads this. It is worth a shot right?
And so I jump. . .
.
.
"To reach by jumping" is what my last name "Doskocil" means in Czech. My great-grandmother and great-grandfather came over from what was then Czechoslovakia when they were children. We are from the Bohemian part - not Slovakian. And that is my family explanation for the day.
However, the blog title has a multi-focal purpose. I feel as though life is made up of lots of little jumps, some longer than others, landings may be hard or soft, sometimes you fall, sometimes you fly, sometimes you end up where you thought you would, and sometimes it takes more jumps than you expect to get where you were trying to go. Anyway, this blog will be about the day-to-day or day-year jumps I am making, or that people around me are making. I will try to make it informative and interesting for everyone who reads this. It is worth a shot right?
And so I jump. . .
.
.
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