Hey bloggers,
A few weeks ago when I first began my current prac, I had a bit of an experience with one of the patients and my supervisor. The patient was a post surgical patient, and it was the first surgical patient that I had seen since being on the prac. Up until then it had all pretty much been COPD exacerbations, which aren’t really all that challenging. As a result I was a touch nervous. My supervisor accompanied me for assistance during treatment but asked me to lead the treatment.
Everything was going well until I sat the patient up. Being a surgical patient he had a lot of post-op attachments, including, of course, an arterial line. And, lo and behold, when he sat up the arterial line came loose. Blood began leaking out everywhere, we quickly put pressure over the area and eventually stopped the flow, however, for the rest of the treatment session I was a little bit shakey, I guess I kind of lost a bit of confidence after the arterial line came loose. After the treatment session, my supervisor informed me that my lack of confidence toward the end of the treatment session was obvious, and that I should be careful to always appear confident in front of patients.
I’ve had other experiences since then that have really reinforced that advice for me. I’ve noticed that patients will feel insecure if I am not confident in a trying situation, and will also tend to lose respect for me professionally. This then makes them less compliant within treatment sessions, and especially with exercise programs. Not only this, but it can affect their perception of the entire physiotherapy profession. Added to this, a lack of confidence will lead to other members of the health profession to lose respect for me and also lose faith in any interventions that I may implement. This may make them less compliant or willing to aid physiotherapy interventions within the scope of their involvement, making it harder for me to do what I have to do.
Ultimately I should aim to overcome any lack of confidence because I realize that if I am not confident, usually there is a legitimate reason (i.e. lack of theoretical knowledge, inadequate backround knowledge of the patient from the integrated notes, inadequate planning of treatment and of eventualities that may occur) and that these reasons need to be addressed in order for me to firstly gain confidence, but also to ultimately become a better health care professional
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Confidence is the key i have been taught. I remember when my friends graduated last year the one thing they told me was....even if you have no idea what you are doing just appear confident and in control. I think the fact that you have pinpointed why you are are not so confident is the first step. I am exactly in the same situation... at the end of third year 3 week placement i received an additional development form because my curtin supervisor failed me whereas my clinical supervisor passed me. The reason i failed was because i had absolutely no confidence in what i was doing completely questioned myself and gave myself no credit as to what i actually did know. From then on going into fourth year i have implemented a few strategies to overcome this:
1). Prior to comencing a placement i always do a bit of revision the weekend before so first day im not so overwhelmed
2). After a day at prac i spend prob bout 30mins reviewing what i did that day and learnt and prep myself for what i need to know the following day so i can answer a few of my supervisors questions confidently
3). Prior to visit from curtin supervisor i have an idea in my head of patient i will c, problem list, appropriate treatment, considerations for treatment.
4). Breathe...take in deep breathe wear a smile and just think rationale on the spot
5). Put the situation into perspective.. you are a student and its the time to make mistakes now and learn from them so you have more awareness as full qualified physiotherapist
6). Bring a spare sheet of paper and write down few treatment ideas for pt if you dont get a chance to check their notes thoroughly just so you have done some form of preparation
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