HSA 4941 - Blog #3

This week I worked with the Therapy Department. I got the opportunity to work under the Speech and Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist and Physical Therapist. I must say that it was a great experience.


I divided my day among these three therapists and observed each of them. The speech and language pathologist is truly great at what she does. I observed her working with a patient whom was on a feeding tube; she was using very few words to express herself. Hence, the therapist asked her to move her tongue sideways and also to push her tongue out. As simple as this task may sound (as it did to me) the patient had severe difficulty accomplishing them. Only 15 minute therapy was done on this patient, since forcing her to do more, might make her reluctant to continue to improve.


Then it was the Occupational Therapist time with the patient. She helped the patient with her oral hygiene. For example; she used a lemon flavored swab to clean her teeth, gums and tongue.


Lastly, it was the physical therapist time. He lifted the patient’s feet slowly in an up and down movement, and he also did the same to her arms. Then he massages her hands, giving attention to her fingers.


This was truly a great learning experience. I have learned a lot from these three therapists and now I have a greater appreciation for their profession. These therapists really go beyond their call of duty, to help their patients.