Day 9: Clinical Observations...

Well I'm really getting into the swing of things in clinic! All I can say is thank goodness for my translator Herold, and also for my awesome charade/acting skills haha. I've learned a few more Creole words too... "escalier" means stairs, "doussma" means slowly, "se bon" and "an fom" are phrases that mean good (that you can apply to just about anything), and "se fini" means all done! Woohoo!

The clinic building! It opened in May

After spending over a week in clinic, I've made some observations about the differences between therapy here and therapy in the US:

1. There are no insurance companies to argue with to justify treatments! This also means that documentation is VERY simple and quick. 
2. Everyone gets an hour treatment session, regardless of diagnosis. This applies even to those patients that come 45 minutes late, or those that have to wait because their BP is too high or too low.
3. You treat the WHOLE PATIENT. This is my favorite part!! It means that when I have a patient with a stroke, I can work on making sure they walk safely with a cane, as well as seeing if they can button a button, pick up small objects, or hold their child.
4. Therapy is a family affair. I cannot tell you how many patients come in with at least 2 or 3 family members in tow, all scrambling to help transfer the patient or make sure they're doing the exercises correctly - it's incredible!

I did my first inservice today on chronic back pain - it was very casual and straightforward. There's a new group here, including an occupational therapist from Boston!! They're only here til next weekend, but it's still nice   :) 

I took some pictures of clinic today:

welcome to clinic!!

pretty good setup!

the little kid's area

another view, including our "desk area"

 Almost the weekend!! I'll leave you all with a picture of a little visitor that I had...

oh hello friend...nice of you to visit me IN THE SHOWER   :(

xo