03.25.15 The Field (of Actual) Work

As PT138 comes to a close, a final task is at hand and this is the task we aim to finish and perfect. It is the day we would be teaching real clients. What I prepared for my session was to teach an adult with dysphonia breathing techniques as well as proper posture. Upon the arrival of my patient I noticed her posture was not a problem and this warranted a change of my plan with the help of Ma’am Dana.

It was a really different experience when it comes to teaching actual patients and add that to the fact that I had to co-treat with an SP. The whole teaching process involved me teaching DDBE to my patient and she was very cooperative with my teaching. It was also fun in a way that I also learned as a PT since not only did I discover where I would improve on but also where PT services can be given to. It was an eye-opener for me since I realized that we too could teach the patients of SPs; I really didn't have a clue before.

I think that the teaching process I have done was above satisfactory but not that perfect. I had some good points but then I also had some bad points to take note. I guess my strong points were I executed and taught the exercise well. I also gave the rationale and gave feedback to the patient during the activity. I also told her what not to do when performing the task to avoid hyperventilating. I think my weak points were that I didn't have a voice that facilitates when instructing and that I didn't position myself well with the client. I also should have made a form of communication system with my patient since her responding may strain her voice that would make it hard for her during her session with the SP.

I guess the thing that I would suggest to always keep in mind what I have learned in class to always use a facilitative voice when doing the DDBE since it helps the patient in actually doing the activity. I also suggest that I should let the patient exhale slowly to promote eccentric contraction of the diaphragm. Lastly, I would suggest to always have an easy form of communication when dealing with clients with speech disorder so that they wouldn't have a hard time responding to us.

This whole teaching-learning experience is very important for me since teaching is an inherent part of our treatment. I also think that it is a nice exposure for us since this would prepare us with our upcoming internship as well as our future practice.  It also helps me become a better PT by being prepared and knowledgeable with the skill/exercise that I am going to teach.

I guess with everything I have said, the important note to leave myself in the future would be to be competent with what I am doing. I have to have both knowledge and skill to be able to teach what needs to be taught to help who needs to be helped.