Different Approaches to Treatment

With a good few placements under the belt now and the days of placements coming to an end I find I am able to reflect back on the year as a whole. Although it will be great to get out there into the work force and start earning some $$, the experiences of this year really have been a privilege. It has been great to have been invited into different facilities and to have been shown the ropes. It amazes me how different the experience of each placement has been due to the differences between facilities and treatment approaches of each supervisor.

For example, on my first placement (musculo outpatients) one of my patients had knee pain due to significant degenerative changes. My thoughts for the first session were to treat her knee as guided by assessment, but to also brainstorm things the patient could do in her life to manage the condition (modifying aggravating activities and referral to community hydro classes). However, I was directed by my supervisor to focus very much on hands on techniques to treat the impairments (to get the length back in muscles, get the joints moving and to get the right muscles working and strengthened). In contrast to this on my current placement (geriatric outpatients) one of my patients has chronic lower back pain. My thoughts for the first session were to assess and treat impairments of movement, motor control etc. However, I was guided by my supervisor to focus on lifestyle changes and self management (refer to OT for correct seating, refer to hydrotherapy and modify aggravating activities).
Both approaches have value and as a result of these different experiences I feel I will be able to incorporate and apply a range of approaches in order to give the best, most comprehensive treatment to my patients when I am qualified