Professional Behaviors
Reflection
There are two clear differences between the Professional Behaviors Assessment that I completed in Year 1 in the UND PT program and the Professional Behaviors Assessment I completed in Year 2 of the UND PT program. The first of these differences is that clinical experience has cultivated the maturation of my professional behaviors. The second is that I have gained an appreciation for the knowledge and experience that I have to offer others. The original assessment in 2012 was completed during the first year of my physical therapy education before I had a substantial amount of experience in the clinic. Most of my responses in terms of example behaviors were related to the classroom. This was appropriate due to my lack of clinical experience.
After reviewing the second assessment I noticed that my responses related back to the clinic, or classroom presentations. Classroom presentations allowed me to be responsible to gather information on my own and take a more active role in the learning process, while the clinic also pushed me to be more of a self-directed learner, it also gave me the opportunity to use the knowledge and skills that I had attained during the year in the classroom. More importantly, it allowed me to mature in areas such as interpersonal skills, professionalism, and critical thinking which interestingly enough are all aspects of the professional behaviors assessment.
I also noticed a vast amount of difference in the areas of improvement. Before clinical experiences I was eager to apply my knowledge to patients and put into practice what I had been learning. At this stage in the game, I am still eager to apply the knowledge that I am gaining in the clinic but I am more eager to become actively involved in representing the profession of physical therapy by promoting health and wellness within the community. There is a substantial transformation between my professional behaviors assessments. That transformation revolves around the realization of my responsibility to provide care for more than just those who walk through the clinic doors. I am now more aware than ever that although physical therapy education can be a demanding journey, it has given me a platform to educate and care for others in a way that is very unique to our profession. Both professional behaviors assessments can be found at the bottom of this page.
After reviewing the second assessment I noticed that my responses related back to the clinic, or classroom presentations. Classroom presentations allowed me to be responsible to gather information on my own and take a more active role in the learning process, while the clinic also pushed me to be more of a self-directed learner, it also gave me the opportunity to use the knowledge and skills that I had attained during the year in the classroom. More importantly, it allowed me to mature in areas such as interpersonal skills, professionalism, and critical thinking which interestingly enough are all aspects of the professional behaviors assessment.
I also noticed a vast amount of difference in the areas of improvement. Before clinical experiences I was eager to apply my knowledge to patients and put into practice what I had been learning. At this stage in the game, I am still eager to apply the knowledge that I am gaining in the clinic but I am more eager to become actively involved in representing the profession of physical therapy by promoting health and wellness within the community. There is a substantial transformation between my professional behaviors assessments. That transformation revolves around the realization of my responsibility to provide care for more than just those who walk through the clinic doors. I am now more aware than ever that although physical therapy education can be a demanding journey, it has given me a platform to educate and care for others in a way that is very unique to our profession. Both professional behaviors assessments can be found at the bottom of this page.
Critical Thinking- Entry Level
Examples
o Conducted research where I was expected to gather evidence based articles and develop my own data about hiring recent PT graduates and the qualities that are desired by managers. During this research study I utilized information from other health care professionals such as nurses, occupational therapists and physicians.
o During clinical experiences in the fall of 2013, CI’s commented on evaluation about my ability to bring evidence based information to the clinic, challenge the current methods, and effectively justify my decisions in terms of patient intervention.
Areas for Improvement
o In the future I would like to develop more skill/awareness of when it is most appropriate to think analytically and when it is most appropriate to think intuitively.
Communication- Entry Level
Examples
o Regarding presentations I am very organized with how I present information regardless of the audience (size & education level) or the mode of communication. I have had the opportunity to present information to classmates, professors, other health care professionals, and elementary age students.
Areas for Improvement
o Provide more community education regarding prevention and wellness along with learning strategies to effectively mediate conflict in group situations.
Problem Solving- Entry Level
Examples
o Assessing the problem, treating the problem, reassessing the solution, evaluating the outcomes and modifying the solution if necessary is the exact process of patient evaluation and intervention which I demonstrated the ability to do multiple times during clinical experiences with a variety of cases.
o I also participated frequently with quality assessment surveys following clinical experiences (CPI’s) and following each semester.
Areas for Improvement
o Discover & utilize more ways to deal with community health related problems such as obesity and diabetes.
Interpersonal Skills - Entry Level
Examples
o Especially during initial evaluations, but also during intervention I demonstrated active listening and was able to communicate effectively with patients about subjects not pertaining to treatment regardless of culture or age.
o During group projects in class I am able to discuss the objectives of the project, listen to classmates input and also provide my own ideas to help benefit the project.
o Over the course of the last spring semester the class schedule became very hectic and did not follow the original schedule, often times I would get notice of class meeting times the day of and would have to adjust my own personal schedule as necessary.
o I have developed both mentee and mentor relationships with first year students as a TA and also with CI’s.
Areas for Improvement
o I would like to develop (and become more aware of) the ability to modify my nonverbal communication to ease negations during conflict.
Responsibility- Entry Level
Examples
o Spoke with patient to present treatment options to them giving them pro’s /con’s to each.
o Provided necessary tools for patient to succeed in treatment and HEP such as handouts, pictures, demonstrations, descriptions, & theraband, along with providing them the opportunity to ask questions regarding their treatment.
o Referred patients to other professionals when pathologies were outside of my scope of practice or skill level.
o Searched for evidence based articles to support clinical decisions.
Areas for Improvement
o Be involved in more community service and volunteer opportunities.
Professionalism- Entry Level
Examples
o In all circumstances, patients that I had the opportunity to treat were the center of care.
o Again, I sought evidence based treatment options to treat patients.
o Patient education was the majority of the care that I provided along with other aspects of their intervention.
o I performed responsibilities of TA for a clinical examination and evaluation in order to gather more information and to provide my insight as a PT student to first year students.
Areas for Improvement
o Patient advocacy and community involvement.
Use of Constructive Feedback- Entry Level
Examples
o Participated in assessments of my abilities before and after clinical experiences with inventories such as CPI’s, professional behaviors, core values, Myer’s Briggs, and numerous learning style inventories.
o During clinical experiences I would seek the feedback of CI’s, patients during treatment and other health care professionals.
o Before, during and after group projects I sought feedback from peers and professors.
o With each situation listed above, my goal was to use that feedback to modify behaviors in order to improve by skills and abilities.
Areas for Improvement
o Next spring I would like to continue self-evaluating by journaling during clinicals as a way to reflect on patient management.
Effective Use of Time and Resources- Entry Level
Examples
o Worked effectively with OT’s, PT’s and nurses during clinicals.
o Rearranged daily schedule and plans based on patient needs.
o Located resources in community for MS patient regarding transportation and implementation of assistive devices in her home.
Areas for Improvement
o Work on being consistent with productivity standards at the clinic.
o Mentor 1st year students.
Stress Management- Intermediate/Entry Level
Examples
o I would say that I have fully mastered the intermediate level and am beginning to operate within both the entry level and post entry level.
o One area that I have improved on has been prioritizing responsibilities and planning ahead with multiple group assignments, presentations, exams and work.
o I have also devoted more time to personal health and well being which has helped provide better balance within in my own life.
Areas for Improvement
o Help others reduce stress.
o Change approach and attitude in stressful situations.
Commitment to Learning- Entry Level
Examples
o Like I stated above, both CI’s that I have had have commented on my ability to question current methods and provide new ideas.
o I am open about new ideas and am ready and willing to change my approach if the evidence suggests better options.
o I worked closely with CI’s and asked for their wisdom and expertise during patient evaluation and intervention when I was unsure of where to go next.
Areas for Improvement
o Become more confident with sharing new knowledge with all staff levels and health care professionals.
o In the future, I would like to work toward a specialty certification in orthopedics.
Examples
o Conducted research where I was expected to gather evidence based articles and develop my own data about hiring recent PT graduates and the qualities that are desired by managers. During this research study I utilized information from other health care professionals such as nurses, occupational therapists and physicians.
o During clinical experiences in the fall of 2013, CI’s commented on evaluation about my ability to bring evidence based information to the clinic, challenge the current methods, and effectively justify my decisions in terms of patient intervention.
Areas for Improvement
o In the future I would like to develop more skill/awareness of when it is most appropriate to think analytically and when it is most appropriate to think intuitively.
Communication- Entry Level
Examples
o Regarding presentations I am very organized with how I present information regardless of the audience (size & education level) or the mode of communication. I have had the opportunity to present information to classmates, professors, other health care professionals, and elementary age students.
Areas for Improvement
o Provide more community education regarding prevention and wellness along with learning strategies to effectively mediate conflict in group situations.
Problem Solving- Entry Level
Examples
o Assessing the problem, treating the problem, reassessing the solution, evaluating the outcomes and modifying the solution if necessary is the exact process of patient evaluation and intervention which I demonstrated the ability to do multiple times during clinical experiences with a variety of cases.
o I also participated frequently with quality assessment surveys following clinical experiences (CPI’s) and following each semester.
Areas for Improvement
o Discover & utilize more ways to deal with community health related problems such as obesity and diabetes.
Interpersonal Skills - Entry Level
Examples
o Especially during initial evaluations, but also during intervention I demonstrated active listening and was able to communicate effectively with patients about subjects not pertaining to treatment regardless of culture or age.
o During group projects in class I am able to discuss the objectives of the project, listen to classmates input and also provide my own ideas to help benefit the project.
o Over the course of the last spring semester the class schedule became very hectic and did not follow the original schedule, often times I would get notice of class meeting times the day of and would have to adjust my own personal schedule as necessary.
o I have developed both mentee and mentor relationships with first year students as a TA and also with CI’s.
Areas for Improvement
o I would like to develop (and become more aware of) the ability to modify my nonverbal communication to ease negations during conflict.
Responsibility- Entry Level
Examples
o Spoke with patient to present treatment options to them giving them pro’s /con’s to each.
o Provided necessary tools for patient to succeed in treatment and HEP such as handouts, pictures, demonstrations, descriptions, & theraband, along with providing them the opportunity to ask questions regarding their treatment.
o Referred patients to other professionals when pathologies were outside of my scope of practice or skill level.
o Searched for evidence based articles to support clinical decisions.
Areas for Improvement
o Be involved in more community service and volunteer opportunities.
Professionalism- Entry Level
Examples
o In all circumstances, patients that I had the opportunity to treat were the center of care.
o Again, I sought evidence based treatment options to treat patients.
o Patient education was the majority of the care that I provided along with other aspects of their intervention.
o I performed responsibilities of TA for a clinical examination and evaluation in order to gather more information and to provide my insight as a PT student to first year students.
Areas for Improvement
o Patient advocacy and community involvement.
Use of Constructive Feedback- Entry Level
Examples
o Participated in assessments of my abilities before and after clinical experiences with inventories such as CPI’s, professional behaviors, core values, Myer’s Briggs, and numerous learning style inventories.
o During clinical experiences I would seek the feedback of CI’s, patients during treatment and other health care professionals.
o Before, during and after group projects I sought feedback from peers and professors.
o With each situation listed above, my goal was to use that feedback to modify behaviors in order to improve by skills and abilities.
Areas for Improvement
o Next spring I would like to continue self-evaluating by journaling during clinicals as a way to reflect on patient management.
Effective Use of Time and Resources- Entry Level
Examples
o Worked effectively with OT’s, PT’s and nurses during clinicals.
o Rearranged daily schedule and plans based on patient needs.
o Located resources in community for MS patient regarding transportation and implementation of assistive devices in her home.
Areas for Improvement
o Work on being consistent with productivity standards at the clinic.
o Mentor 1st year students.
Stress Management- Intermediate/Entry Level
Examples
o I would say that I have fully mastered the intermediate level and am beginning to operate within both the entry level and post entry level.
o One area that I have improved on has been prioritizing responsibilities and planning ahead with multiple group assignments, presentations, exams and work.
o I have also devoted more time to personal health and well being which has helped provide better balance within in my own life.
Areas for Improvement
o Help others reduce stress.
o Change approach and attitude in stressful situations.
Commitment to Learning- Entry Level
Examples
o Like I stated above, both CI’s that I have had have commented on my ability to question current methods and provide new ideas.
o I am open about new ideas and am ready and willing to change my approach if the evidence suggests better options.
o I worked closely with CI’s and asked for their wisdom and expertise during patient evaluation and intervention when I was unsure of where to go next.
Areas for Improvement
o Become more confident with sharing new knowledge with all staff levels and health care professionals.
o In the future, I would like to work toward a specialty certification in orthopedics.