ESLR Check

  During the course of the first semester I've needed to stretch out my abilities to keep up with all the overwhelming work. Meaning I had to commit more time to doing schoolwork and sacrifice leisure activities. There was rarely a time I only had one thing to worry about in my mind. To deal with the situation I prioritized between short term and long term due dates. Yet no matter the type of work, I applied myself proportionally to the task at hand. Such instances could be shown during model assembly. During the party platform I was dead tired from writing my speeches from the night before, but I still did my best to get a word in on every bill that was discussed.

 The first semester was also very involved with the senior project. I learned a lot about Physical Therapy through the research checks and service learning. The articles and books I used for the research checks gave me a very strong foundation of knowledge in the field of P.T. From those I learned many things about the tools they used and what injuries are most common. Also through the service learning I was able to experience real P.T. to patient interactions that simple text couldn't really substitute. I had already understood what type of work pertains to this profession, but I was surprised how the P.T.s and aids were able to give each and every one of their patients their full enthusiasm.  After handling with so many patients it's a wonder where they get their energy. This probably shows how effectively they spend their time and their understanding of the injury at hand.

     I know I can improve in ESLRs during the second semester because I can put more attention in my senior project rather than spread it between model assembly stuff. Once my senior project takes more of a shape I will be more motivated and eager to make it the best I can.

Service Learning 10 Hour Progress Check

1) Summary of Services:
-I regularly re-stock linen cabinets with towels, pillow cases, wash clothes, and gowns.
-Prepared therapy beds by wiping the leather surfaces and leg supports, raising the bed, opening privacy curtains, diposing of used linen and ice bags, returning lumbar/thoracic/cervical heat pads to hydrocollators.
-Wipe down used excercise machines and equipment
-Put equipment away
-Clean hydrocollator
-Photocopy papers

2) Days I voulunteered:
    12/20/2010 7.78 hours
    12/22/2010 4.30 hours
    1/4/2011     1.17 hours
    Total Hours  13.24999993

3) Being around so many physical therapists and aides I've come to notice that talking is a very important tool they use. They constantly walk patients through each step of the process to instill confidence and make sure the patients themselves understand how their body is healing. With such clear communication, patients can help identify problems and pains that p.t.s would otherwise have a harder time discovering themselves.

Interview 3 Question Pending Approval

Questions
1) What sort of exercises do you do that maintains an athlete's body conditioning?
2) Are there exercises that emulates sports positions/techniques?
3)What are typical sports injuries that you see most often?
4) What are ways that gets athletes back to their sports faster?
5) How to you help patients prevent future injuries?
6) Do you collaborate with other physicians and coaches that oversee your patient?
7) What is ultrasound used most for?
8) What are all the effects of electrical stimulation?
9)  How do you prioritize the times you spend with your patients?
10) How do you know when patients are ready to increase the intensity of work outs?

What I Have Learned So Far

1. List at least 3 things you've learned since you started working on your senior project.
-The tools of Physical Therapy that are typically used are ultrasound and transcutaneous units.
- Physical Therapists should consult with other physicians of the patient to avoid any issues.
- There are many conlficting effects when two different treatments are being used at the same time. Physical Therapists have to work around this by adjusting settings and the application area of their tools to gain preferred results.
2. Post evidence of this accomplishment. It can be in the form of a picture, video, document, etc.

A Physical Therapist Using Ultrasound

Essential Question

EQ: What is the best way for a Physical Therapist to help an athlete successfully return to their sport?
(1) Define possible terms in your EQ (e.g. successful, effective)
"best way"- the method that produces the most preferred and favorable results after all others have been considered
"successfully"-an attempt that is hindered in no way whatsoever
(2) So far based on your research, what are possible answers to your EQ? As of now probably preventive education as it is vital for athletes to know the ins and outs of their injury to avoid an accidental relapse in their healths.
(3) What has been your most important printed source and why?
Maybe the "Physiotherapy Following a Sport Injury: Stability of Psychological Variables during Rehabilitation." article for the reason its the only i have so far that specifically talks about sports and physical therapy.

Independent Component 1

1)Discuss possible ideas you have to complete the independent requirement?
-To complete my independent task I have been planning to shadow at a place called TEAM Physical Therapy, which is an outpatient rehabilitation clinic. I have their contact information but have still yet to ask permission.
2) How will these idea(s) help answer your EQ?
-This idea will definitely help me answer my essential question. I specifically chose this facility as they highly specialize in sports medicine. My EQ asks for a physical therapist helping out an athlete scenario and they offer free sports injury screening for local clubs, high school and collegiate athletes. They also have a number of patients that have included the likes of MLB pitchers, NFL cornerbacks, Olympic softball and track athletes.

5-Minute Presentation Reflection

1) What would you say stood out about your presentation performance and why?

-Regrettably my visuals stood out the most about my presentation and haha not in a good way. I had printed out pictures of physical therapist rehabilitation techniques and different injuries they handle for my mix and match activity. My master plan was to tape them on the white board so I can easily put what goes with what but I forgot the tape. So I had to fiddle with my visuals, which inhibited my performance and distracted the audience.

2) What was most challenging to do and why?

- For me I would have to say staying within the actual five-minute limit of the presentation. Many factors can be attributed to this and one of which could be me presuming that I wouldn’t have enough to say. However, most likely the blame can be is due to, how the young kids say nowadays, winging through presentation. Don’t get me wrong I did prepare for my presentation is just I did not have the time to rehearse.