Part 3: In the beginning of my search it was hard to find a lot of information based on aids children can receive. Although after doing intense research I came upon several different sources pertaining my essential question. The first part of my research was purely based on asking my mentor questions, and being apart of the physical therapy with the patient. This was the most beneficial to my search because it gives me first hand experience and a look into the daily life of the patient. I was also given the chance to listen in on what her mom and dad do to help her at home. I had found out they not only use aid at CHOA during physical therapy, but her parents also have equipment at home to help her. After this first step of my research I came upon an article which I used for one of my annotated bibliographies. This article was called "An adapted walking intervention for a child with Pitt Hopkins syndrome." This article was about a study done on a children walking with Pitt-Hopkins syndrome. This 4 year old child went through a 12 week intervention with 5 one hour walking sessions per week at a daycare. The child was given a mobility device to make walking easier. Results showed that when given a device to aid the disabilities from this disease, the child learns at a faster rate. This article proved my initial thought that the walking aspect of the symptoms can be helped with the correct equipment. I also saw this with my patient in which every week she came she would improve with her walking skills. I had also interviewed a physical therapist on their daily actions. While this pertains to multiple cases that patients may have, it helped me get a insight on how physical therapists come up with their treatment plans for certain cases including for Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome. 

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Interview:

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1.What do you like most about your field of medicine, and what do you dislike?

 

Answer:

     “What I like most is getting to help kids out all day. I love woking with kids, and this job allows me to do everyday. I don't like how some kids and parents can be difficult. Some times they don't like to do the homework I assign them, and its frustrating because I put in so much work and when I don't get help, it’s difficult.”

 

Response:

I was not surprised by this answer because I myself love working with kids and doing what I can to help them. On the other side of this question I also agree because I always here from my mom’s preschool that parents and some children are very difficult to work with than others. 

 

2.What are some of the challenges you face daily?

 

Answer:

     “Some of the kids I see need more than one person to get what needs to be done,done. Like one patient I work with can't walk, so only having myself is very challenging.” 

 

Response:

I was aware that some patients need more than one set of hands to do the exercises needed to do because I work with a specific patient that would be very hard to work with without two people. I am sure that there are more patients like Harper that need extra attention. 

 

3.Do you ever find yourself getting personal attached to any patients?

 

Answer:

     “ I have become attached to a patient that I had seen for about 4 years. When I see a patient for so long I begin to know what is best for them, and it is easy to get attached. 

 

Response:

I was slightly surprised because I was unaware of some patients being in physical therapy for 4 years. Although I understand how they can grow a relationship after treating that patient for such a long time. 

 

4.Does being a physical therapist ever get boring, or is there enough new patients that keeps the job fun and exciting?

 

Answer:

     “ It depends on the day. Some days I see kids all day with similar symptoms, so I do the same exercises all day. Other days I had varieties of patients which makes it more exciting. It also depends on which kids I'm working with. Some can be so sweet and fun, but others can be very challenging.”

 

Response:

I agreed with this response because some days I am at my mentorship both patients I see do the same exercises to help flexibility for their feet. Although other days I see a patient where we work on motor skills, and the other patient works on speech therapy.  

 

5.Are the hours for your job flexible? 

 

Answer:

     “The PT profession is widely regarded as extremely flexible. Very few career paths afford employees the option to choose part-time like physical therapists do. I finish the day at around 6 almost all days I work, so there aren't a lot of late nights.”

 

Response:

I was very excited about this response because a lot of medical professions have very long and unpredictable hours. This profession allows you to get home at a decent time every night. 

 

6.Do you have any tips for a student going into med school?

 

Answer:

     “ Find good friends to do study groups with. It really helps to go though all the information together and bounce off ideas with each other. Also don't try to write every single thing your professors say cause its a waste of time. The 4 years are gonna go by so fast and if you stress out the entire time you will miss out.” 

 

Response:

This answer was very helpful for me for no only going into med school in the future, but also for now in high school. Having good study tips is very important no matter what type of schooling you are in. 

 

7.How often are you given days off during the year?

 

Answer:

     “ We get most holidays off and depending if you have patients of not depends on when you are at work. Like during spring break most people go on vacation so you will have barley any scheduled patients.”

 

Response:

This answer also pleased me because it allows more days off then usual jobs allow. Although the goal is to always have patients, you can get the manor breaks and holidays off to spend with family. 

 

8.How do like working in a clinic setting rather than in a hospital?

 

Answer:

     “ I like working in a smaller setting because it is easier to get around the clinic, and there are less physical therapists so you can grow better relationships with them. Also the hours of working in a clinic I believe are much shorter.”

 

Response:

I agree with the portion about better hours, but I am not sure about the rest. I plan to do another mentorship next year, but at a hospital instead so I can get the feel of both settings. 

 

9.How much schooling total did you have to go through to get where you are now?

 

Answer:

     “ I spent about 7 years in college to become a PT. With 4 years of undergrad and 3 years at a DPT program. Once I got to this clinic I followed a mentor for a little bit to get to know the place and people better.”

 

Response:

I believe 7 years is quite a bit of school, but half of it will be an internship where you actually get to practice medicine. In the long run I think the amount of school is necessary and is worth it in the long run.

 

10. Is it difficult to come up with new exercises and activities for your patients to do every visit?

 

Answer:

     “ No, because we are given booklets to help guide us on exercises to do based on their current status. I also use things that me and the patients had worked on in the past that I know works for that patient.” 

 

Response:

I was not aware that they had resources such as those to help plan for the patients. I believe it is very helpful, but I also believe based on what the physical therapist determines works best should be what determines the exercise each patient does. 

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