Week One

S: My patient was a 57 year old male that had a cerebellar cyst removal 2/12 ago. He had signs of left cerebellar ataxia and was referred as an outpatient for gait re-education and balance retraining. His past medical history included removal of his right gluteus, and removal of pelvic tumours.

T: To perform a full neurological assessment and treatment plan for this patient.

A: I used a musculoskeletal outpatient proforma as well as a neurological assessment form. I gathered the relevant history, patient goals, and determined the relevant functional impairments that needed improving.

R: Despite the information on the referral, the client upon assessment did not show obvious signs of cerebellar ataxia. There was a mild intention tremor on the left and gait was impaired as the patient had become accustomed to walking with knees bent after the removal of his glut as there was no hip extension on the right lower limb. High level balance was also impaired and this was focused on in treatment along with gait re-education promoting heel strike on the initial contact phase.

E: As this was my first outpatient, and neuro patient as well, I was quite nervous. After going through the assessment and there were no obvious asterisk signs or stereotypical cerebellar signs as I was expecting, when it came to treatment planning I felt stuck as to where to proceed from that point.

S: Strategies I used to help me with this patient was I seeking advice through my supervisor throughout my assessment and treatment. My supervisor was able to help guide my treatment planning.

4th Year Initial Entry

It is my first rotation for my 4th year placements and first rural. I am quite nervous because I have never been away from home before, and I don’t have the luxury of going home to family and friends after a hard day’s work.

After last year’s placement, I feel more confident and comfortable in dealing with patients and carrying out assessments and treatments. However, I know the level of expectation for 4th year is higher than 3rd year, so that makes me a bit nervous as there is a lot more responsibility placed upon us.

I think it should be a fulfilling and educational placement. I’ve never been on a general surgery ward or done outpatients before so it will be a good chance to experience both aspects as I want to go into musculoskeletal physiotherapy after graduation.

Overall, this placement should be a great preparation for what is to come throughout the rest of the year as well as what the work will be like once we become qualified. I think I will have a hard time the first few days trying to adapt to being away from home as well as the hospital environment. I’m hoping that by the end of the placement I have mastered my time management as that was an issue on my last placement.

I hope overall my communication skills, professionalism and hands on skills as a physiotherapist will become strengthened so that I can become more confident and successful in my future placements and my career.