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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)