I went to PT and OT for almost a year... the OT gave me dignity and respect and tips n tricks! The OT person really kept my mood elevated. Made me encouraged and positive.
I had a physical therapist that COULD NOT understand that I felt like I had the flu, but still came out for appointments?! I said sometimes I feel more like a hangover (eg alcohol or sleep deprivation) to which she could understand. I think she was mid to late 20s... and I know folks are worse off but we look so GREAT and I always have a nice "blush" on my cheeks (pain, hot flashes and periph neuro at the time)...
In a grumbly disagreeing manner and even said "I'm making you do it THIS way precisely because I KNOW you can TAKE IT" (for one exercise). I looked at her and she was looking away in disgust. Believe me I am nice courteous and not disagreeable. I regret however not questioning her demeanor or asking her "where did that come from? Are you having a challenging day?"
Soooooooooooo
The hospital just sent me a sheet that is anonymous survey to "rate" my service. How should I possibly recant my experience? The PT was supposed to massage me and give me trigger point help but only did 2 or 3 times in a year :( I know I really failed myself, not sticking up for myself.
and each time I tried to get another therapist they said that my original PT only had openings. This one person always had openings :(. Perhaps that was the telltale sign?
Any diplomatic ways to phrase this LOL I need a hand not to get emotional about it I want to be diplomatic!
Thanks loads!
It's anonymous.
You don't have to be diplomatic.
Cut and paste your comment here.
Print it out and put it in the envelope..
Keep us posted!
Kisses
Elaine
PS you aren't supposed to make the therapists do a good job!!! They are supposed to do a good job, and help YOU. WHO is getting paid here?
I would phrase it exactly the way you did. I don't think it is too over the top. Maybe explain the situation a little more for some background, but most hospitals and clinics are very interested in customer service and want to work out issues as they come up. They know if you are not satisfied with the care you got, that you will likely not come back for more care in the future. Those surveys are usually anonymous so you don't have to worry about your name being attatched to it. I would include her name if you can, that way it brings her attitude to the attention of her supervisor so maybe something can be done so she doesn't continue treating people in this manner. If you ever have to recieve PT at that facility again, insist on a different therapist. You may have to wait, but it shouldn't be for weeks, maybe days or a week. Glad your OT was good and you are doing better now! Hopefully you won't need PT again, but if you do, please know that we aren't all that way, in fact the majority that I know are compassionate people. (I am a PT by the way).
Nancy
Carolina! Boy howdy I needed that! I knew I did and I had to post.
I had a break through moment last year about some doctors being really disconnected cold dismissive and realizing I don't need a friend I need a scientist... but PT seemed so much more an intimate partnership. And you are right! Thanks so much.
I often take a deep breath and before I see someone "I am paying them, they are working for me (we aren't friends)" but felt so hurt deeply about this individual I mistakenly took it personally!
Thank you thank you thank you
Quote from: Carolina on February 24, 2011, 04:52:29 PM
It's anonymous.
You don't have to be diplomatic.
Cut and paste your comment here.
Print it out and put it in the envelope..
Keep us posted!
Kisses
Elaine
PS you aren't supposed to make the therapists do a good job!!! They are supposed to do a good job, and help YOU. WHO is getting paid here?
Wow Nancy thanks for taking the time! Well I know I need to go back on occasion. Most of that time she was tolerant and okay perhaps 75% of the time her mood was good. But she didn't do the massage etc. She'd ignore me mentioning it. Not my whole body just problem areas. Hypermobile joints trigger points tightness knots etc...
I will fill it out and be more effective about it. I had seen her for a short term in the beginning and filled out a positive report thank you thing they offer in the lobby. But when I got sent again she had attitude change. Perhaps she thought it was a "do over" but it was just a continuation is all.
There is apart of me that feels like a "snitch" or that I am telling on her - silly I know!
Thanks again Nancy!!!
Quote from: Nancy60 on February 24, 2011, 05:05:04 PM
I would include her name if you can, that way it brings her attitude to the attention of her supervisor so maybe something can be done so she doesn't continue treating people in this manner. If you ever have to receive PT at that facility again, insist on a different therapist. You may have to wait, but it shouldn't be for weeks, maybe days or a week. Glad your OT was good and you are doing better now! Hopefully you won't need PT again, but if you do, please know that we aren't all that way, in fact the majority that I know are compassionate people. (I am a PT by the way).
Nancy
I got my education as a PT Assistant and planned on becoming a PT until Sjogrens. The therapist I saw had no clue. You have active RA in your knee? Do knee bends of course! As soon as you say no I can't do exercises kneeling down or whatever, they put you down as a malingerer who refuses to comply with therapy.
Take it from a former insider - that is EXACTLY what they think of us!! Especially the new grads - how much practical clinical experience can they get in a 2 year masters program really??? not alot.
Crymeariver, I'm sorry you've had such a negative experience with one PT, but I think your statement that "that is exactly what they think of us" is much to broad and general......I personally have two excellent, caring and considerate PTs, and have worked with many more over the years. I've even had a request from a PT in the department where mine worked, (not one who I had seen as a patient) for any information I thought would be helpful for her if she did meet a patient with similar needs as mine, since she hadn't run into anyone with extraglandular (arthritic) symptoms from Sjogren's. As with any discipline, there are personalities that may not be a perfect match and one wonders if they might not be happier and more effective in another line of work, but I feel it's not really fair to paint them all with the same brush.
Naturally training in different areas varies, but our PT program is a 4 year university course, with a minimum of 3 months supervised practical experience per year, and a 6 month mentored apprenticeship between graduation and certification. Our students work in hospital, clinic and home visit patient care for at least 18 months during their training, and do seem to get a lot of clinical experience.
I second Linda's comment about Physical Therapists. I've been working with a PT for the last five weeks now, and she has been marvelous. And she is only in her mid-twenties, same age as my son.
She listens carefully to my questions and comments, and has taken the time to understand Sjogren's. I am very impressed. She makes it very clear that we are in a partnership, and she doesn't want me doing anything that will cause me any pain.
I guess it goes to show you that sometimes people are in the wrong profession...doctors included.
Personality issues. Good Days, Bad Days everybody has them. Some people have more good than bad. With AI diseases we have more bad than good the difference is that we often do not let them show as healthy people do.
Write the report as you feel fit. Personally I would write a letter and not fill out the survey but send them both in. My wife's twin has been a PT for many years. Sensitive and concerned about doing a good job. We used to battle over techniques to get the best results. I would show her something and she would pay thousands to find that they were showing her what I had. If she learned something new she would show it to me. Her training in Cranial Sacral Therapy was what made the biggest change for her. I just can not afford the costs.
I am continuing my research. More reading than I care to think about, and more typing. My best advice it to find what self care steps work for you as an individual and practice them to manage your discomfort and problems until a cure is found.