You Got This! Three Positive Affirmations for OT Students From an (Almost) Doctor
Originally published 6/2/2016 and updated 6/1/2024.
If you’re anything like me when I was an occupational therapy student, then there are probably times when you feel unsure of your ability to be a successful practitioner. I never quite had the confidence in my capacity to accurately assess patients or make recommendations to the health care team. During team huddles, which included the physician, OT, PT, speech pathologist, and social worker, I did not believe that my contributions were meaningful. Sure, perhaps I had a few insightful remarks, but I assumed that everyone else already had those same ideas.
Now, 8 years later, I find myself entering my fourth and final year of medical school. I have a very different perspective on my previous contributions as an OT student and a new appreciation of OT practitioners. Here are a few positive affirmations and insights about the unique contributions of an OT or OTA from an (almost) physician.
1. “I have a unique knowledge set.”
You are the experts of functional ability. Hands down. You have distinct knowledge and skills that set you apart. Many physicians do not evaluate functional ability, nor do they have the ability to do so, as they have not received this training. When discussing discharge disposition with my attending physicians and residents, we have limited knowledge about the patient’s home layout, the number of stairs needed to enter the home, or the patient’s general ability to care for themselves. Your recommendations are essential to improve the patient’s safety and provide quality patient-centered care.
2. “I trust myself.”
In OT school, we spent a great deal of time learning the proper techniques for manual muscle testing (MMT), for both the gravity-resisted and gravity-eliminated planes, and honing our abilities to distinguish the subtle differences between 4/5 and 4-/5. However, in medical school training, there is limited time devoted to musculoskeletal evaluations. We never received a formal lecture on MMT, but we are expected to know it. This has resulted in many of my peers going through the motions but needing proper technique or an accurate assessment. There have been instances when physicians gave me feedback that I completed MMT incorrectly, as I was taking the time to test each side individually and stabilize the proximal joint, which, as many OT students know, is proper form.
You are probably right if you and another health care provider have differences in a patient’s functional or musculoskeletal evaluation. You have vastly more training and experience in these areas. Trust yourself.
3. “I know my patients.”
You will likely spend 10times more time with the patient than me or any other physician. You have met their extended family at some point during your many therapy sessions. You know their favorite meal, maybe even what laundry detergent they prefer, and what motivates them to get out of bed every morning. And most importantly, you know when something isn’t right.
As an OT student, I worked with a patient in an inpatient rehabilitation unit. She was transferred to the unit after receiving a knee replacement at another hospital. I knew that something wasn’t right with her knee. It hurt, and it hurt a lot more than a typical knee replacement. After expressing my concerns with the physician, he ordered an X-ray. The X-ray revealed that her knee was dislocated.
This is an area where OT students shine. You can develop meaningful relationships with patients. Perhaps you are the first to identify a urinary tract infection in an older patient because he seemed a little off, or perhaps you identify symptoms of depression in a patient, which could lead to her receiving treatment that could dramatically improve her quality of life. You know your patients.
If you find yourself questioning your ability as an OT student or the importance of your contributions to your team, I hope that these positive affirmations will remind you of your strengths!
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In 2016, Michelle Mitchell was entering her fourth year of medical school at The Commonwealth Medical College. She received her undergraduate degree from James Madison University, and her Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to attending medical school, Michelle worked as an occupational therapist in a variety of settings and as a health care quality improvement specialist.