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Doctoring Profession

Professionalism, Autonomy, Social Justice, Advocacy
The APTA has identified seven core values that define the critical elements of professionalism in physical therapy: accountability, altruism, compassion/caring, excellence, integrity, professional duty, and social responsibility.
A Jesuit education is guided by six core values aimed at preparing students to think on and achieve goals beyond themselves: cura personalis, magis, men and women for others, unity of mind and heart, contemplatives in action, finding God in all things.

Professionalism

Magis, meaning the “more,” embodies the act of discerning the greater good in a given situation to better glorify or serve God. Magis is the value of striving for the better, striving for excellence.

In my pursuit to be the most professional clinician I could be, I learned that I need to always challenge mediocrity and continually strive to acquire and utilize the most recent and best evidence.

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Steps I took:

  • Attended local and national APTA meetings and conferences

  • Affiliated myself with additional SIGs

  • Attended outside conferences in topics i was lacking

  • Obtained additional certifications

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Looking forward:

  • Remain involved with the APTA and SIGs

  • Hold weekly journal clubs with staff

  • Monthly inservices on how to apply newest evidence

  • Seek additional certifications specific to the population I am treating

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Service & Social Justice

Men and Women for others embodies a spirit of giving and providing service to  those in need and standing with the poor and marginalized.  We are encouraged to pursue justice on behalf of all persons.

Service Opportunities: 9 News Health Fair, Easter Seals, Father Woody's Haven of Hope, Regis 9 New Health Fair Coordinator, Move forward Volunteer, Arupe High School

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What I learned:

  • Need for free screenings

  • Get to know the individual

  • Be okay with being uncomfortable - (Alex Honnold quote) 

  • Be flexible and have additional plans at your immediate disposal

 

Looking forward: ​

  • Provide regular free medical screenings in the small Wyoming community of which I serve

  • Work closely with the community to provide additional services and events

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Autonomous Practitioner

Cura personalis, a phrase meaning "care for the person," is having concern and care for the personal development of the whole person. This implies a dedication to promoting human dignity and care for the mind, body and spirit of the person.

“There is a risk that [physical therapists] who claim autonomy, rather than promoting their ability to act responsibly and competently within their scope of practice, are like the emperor in his new clothes – they believe they stand in splendour when in fact they are naked. The problem is that their nakedness is seen by the general public and fellow health care professionals. And instead of being trusted and respected, they appear self-interested and ridiculous.”​ - Alleen Walsh

Steps I took:

  • Directly served and treated patient's ​with unrestricted access.

  • Utilized differential diagnosis skills to thoroughly screen and refer out to other healthcare professionals when needed.

  • Worked closely with other healthcare professionals in order to better understand alternative treatments and provide my patients with the most appropriate and holistic care.

  • Referred out when needed.

Looking forward:

  • Remain involved with the APTA and SIGs and advocate for further autonomy, showing that we aren't distancing ourselves, but rather another voice at the table

  • Continue to work closely with other healthcare professionals and adequately understand alternative treatments and refer out when needed in order to "care for the whole person"

  • Advocate for each patient and any unmet needs that they might have

Advocacy

Contemplatives in action. Although we are thoughtful and philosophical, we do not merely think about social problems, we take action to address them. Developing the habit of reflection centers and strengthens one's spiritual life and guides our actions.

Previous views on advocacy:

  • Was not fully aware of how much advocacy goes on in physical therapy worldwide.

  • I wasn't fully aware of all the needs and challenges the profession faces.

  • I didn't fully understand how I could help.

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What I learned:

  • Actively work on keeping up with current healthcare trends, legislation, and new research that affects the physical therapy profession, healthcare delivery, and patient access

  • Examples:

    • Inservice on better diagnosis and treatment of adverse neurodynamics in a clinic that saw multiple patients that would benefit​

    • Multiple projects during clincial

    • Letter to Senator in Wyoming

    • Dry Needling in Colorado

 

Looking forward: ​

  • Memeber of Wyoming APTA--identify discrepancies and advoccate join various boards in order to adovcate change

  • Rural community needs.

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