I have been reflecting on my internship as a over-all experience as I get closer to being done with my first fieldwork experience. Everything that people say about learning on the job being valuable experience is true. I feel I have a more complete picture of what occupational therapy is about.
In school we learn about different diagnosis, treatment approaches, therapeutic use of self, and many other 2-dimensional aspects of treatment. However, I am realizing that OT is 3-D experience, not just the client being multi-dimensional, but also the work place.
In a person, you have their diagnosis, con-current diagnoses, the family, the social and medical history among other dimensions. In the work place you have schedules, the people you work with (manager, your manager's manger, doctors, nurses, therapists, etc), documentation, billing payable time, among many other sifting and changing parameters. It's not so simple as just going in a treating a diagnosis or even the person, most aspects of a person and a work-place come into play every treatment session.
I've really had to learn be mentally flexible and roll with the punches (sometimes it feels like I'm getting punched). I'm still getting the hang of it, and I really feel like a beginner. There are times when I feel I should know how all these parameters should fall into place. When I make mistakes juggling parameters, or seeing the 3-D of a person or work place, can make some days frustrating.
Despite all my growing pains, I know in my heart that I have found my life's work. I will continue to persevere in my journey, I've come this far...
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