When I first decided that I wanted to be a physical therapist and began applying to physical therapy schools, I assumed that I would eventually be working in an outpatient orthopedic clinic with other physical therapists. I had not really been exposed to any other different healthcare professionals working alongside physical therapists, and I did not realize the breadth of areas in which physical therapists work with other disciplines. As I have learned more about the profession and gained more experience, I have discovered that other professions have a lot to offer the physical therapy practice and that physical therapy has a lot to offer to other professions. During my clinical experience I learned the art of collaborative work between all of the staff involved in a patients care is the best for the patient.
In addition to my eyes being opened to the collaborative effects of healthcare, my physical therapy journey has also led to many improvements in my professional behaviors. First, I have improved in my ability to think critically. In my first year of physical therapy school, I wanted to more effectively apply the evidence found in the literature to my patients; fast-forward to my final year of school, and I have been able to learn different ways to apply evidence from different disciplines to manage the best outcome for a patient. During my clinical experience I learned how to use the Katz Index alongside a occupational therapy student.
Along with my improvements in critical thinking, I also improved in my ability to communicate with other healthcare professionals. As a first year physical therapy student, I wanted to be better able to adapt my communication styles and to be able to communicate with different groups. Now, I have effectively participated in team rounds during clinical internships, and I have successfully modified my communication style to match who I am speaking with, whether doctors and other medical professionals or patients and their families.
Further, I have grown in the level of professionalism I display. I have developed a greater understanding of the profession, and I am more responsible for my actions as a professional by utilizing evidence and seeking patient input into treatment. I also am more receptive of constructive feedback than I was when I first started physical therapy school. I am now able to use the constructive feedback and learn how to improve.
Finally, over the past few years, I have improved in my ability to manage stress. In the past, I often let stressful situations overwhelm me, and I reacted in an emotional manner. I have learned to keep more of a big-picture perspective on things and to respond calmly in stressful situations. While I have grown immensely in a number of my professional behaviors, there is still room for improvement. I believe that during my upcoming clinical internships, and throughout my career as a physical therapist, I will continue to grow both as a professional and as an individual. I look forward to the future and this path I have taken to help people.