Reflection: Week 1
A lot has happened this past week shadowing Diane at Ragged Mountain PT. This project is really educating me on a lot of things I didn't expect. The unique experiences and stories the patients have to tell, the work Diane does in the background to make everything run smoothly, and the differences in how each person approaches their rehab have all stood out to me. I originally expected to mainly learn about exercises, injuries, and anatomy, but I’m realizing there is so much more that goes into physical therapy than just the physical side of recovery. Being interested in business, being introduced to new people every day has also been great for networking, which I’ll get into later.
I have a whole new appreciation for what Diane does on a daily basis. Planning and scheduling appointments, treating 2–3 people at a time, remembering specific tendencies and details pertaining to injuries, and constantly adapting treatment plans is not easy. And she does it all on her own. Watching her move from patient to patient while still making everyone feel heard and cared for has been impressive. With that kind of work ethic and attention to detail, there’s no doubt she has had continued success in her field. It’s also interesting to see how much trust patients place in her and how important those relationships become over time.
Shadowing at Ragged has also introduced me to a lot of new people. I’d say I’m pretty good at small talk and getting to know people, and not only am I good at it, but I genuinely enjoy it. This kind of trait is perfect for working in a clinic because not only does your job consist of going over key details to maximize your understanding of a patient’s injuries, but you also want them to feel as comfortable as possible so they heal quicker and have a better overall experience. Some patients are clearly discouraged when they come in, while others are extremely motivated, so being able to communicate with all different types of personalities is important. It has been cool seeing how much personality and mindset can affect someone’s rehab experience.
Which brings me to my next point: I have loved doing research on the connection between one’s attitude/mindset and the length of their recovery process. After reviewing it with Diane and talking about her experiences dealing with patients, she also sees differences between how people approach their exercises, how motivated they are to get better, and how long it takes them to heal. Some patients are eager to push themselves and improve every session, while others struggle mentally and seem stuck before they even begin. My goal for this next week is to come up with a way to better track the mindset of discouraged people coming to the clinic and see if there is a way to alter how they approach PT mentally. Whether that means tracking it through a survey or through actual psychological testing, I will do my best to find out. I think there is definitely a strong connection between the mind and body that people underestimate.
Also, during small talk with one of my patients last week, I was able to get in contact with an alumnus from my prospective college, Holy Cross, where I will be playing Division I lacrosse. This man has found a lot of financial success and is the author of multiple books. I am pleased to say I have gone back and forth with him over text and currently have a phone call scheduled this week to discuss how I can make the most of my next four years in college. That interaction alone showed me how valuable networking and communication can be. Simple conversations can lead to opportunities you never expected, and all of that happened because I chose to do this as my senior project.
I always think about the butterfly effect, and it still blows my mind. One small decision or interaction can completely change the direction of your future. Hopefully it has a positive impact on me. Looking forward to a great second week!