We welcomed Dr. Solecki back this week from his trip away for a
seminar! Although it was a short week, we were able to still fit in
two in-services that dove into some rehab exercises and more ways
to functionally test our patients. I love clinic so far, despite
minor glitches here and there, I am still in the learning mode,
which keeps me excited and motivated.
And better yet, my patients are getting better! I know what we
do works, but it is SO much more rewarding to SEE it work rather
than just read about it over and over again. The best skill I have
learned so far has not been physical techniques, but actually how
to connect with my patients. Delivering bad news will always be
difficult, but the more difficult part is shining a realistic
positive light on it to encourage the patient.
Since being in clinic in general, this has been a characteristic
I have picked up little by little. I know more and more experience
will only make it for comfortable for me, but being exposed to it
this early so far has really prepared me for more cases to come
(unfortunately). The tip that sums it up the best would be: Be
compassionate.
We are all human. We may know all these fancy words to describe
radiology findings, disease etiologies, prognoses, etc., however
what the patient cares most about is that you actually care for
them…even if their road to health must be transferred to someone
else. Being compassionate includes showing it in more ways than
one. For example, contacting the patient to follow on their
progress, contacting the referred physician to make sure
appointments are followed through, etc. It seems like an obvious
skill we should pick up because we should care for our patients…
that's why we're in this profession right? Believe it or not, (from
what I have experienced so far and have seen in others ahead of
me), it can be easy to get caught up in everything else and lose
the compassion. So don't do it. Your patients will thank you for it
- and even give you a hug!
We were super busy this weekend! We went to spend time with
family in Rockford and helped with my home church's annual Laotian
food fair! Yummy! We also went to Chicago and spent time with some
family, ate good food, showed Oliver what Chicago looks like, and
bought some good Vietnamese sandwiches for lunches this week! I
feel so blessed (and spoiled) to be able to have a mini getaway and
reconnect with family. Don't forget about your family and friends
back home…they will help keep you grounded.
Have a great week everyone!!