Metropsych experience

Last Wednesday, we went to Metropsych in Pasig City as part of our four days practicum in our OT 4 and Psychiatry subject. We got to interview the mentally disabled people (Does it sound offending? I hope not) and next Wednesday we are going to pass our "Initial Evaluation" for our assigned clients. It was a really fun experience although after we got out of the facility, I for one , got really cautious around people. I feel as though I was still inside the facility and I subconsciously observed the people surrounding me. Weird enough, my fellow OT classmates felt it too. Experience really IS the best teacher. I wonder how much my observation skills have improved?

Surprisingly, I've learned that I really needed to read more about psychiatry. An OTs job is not merely "so-so". You've got to read, read and read; learn by hands-on and most importantly, think creatively in the actual job. This means that being an OT doesn't make you a "so-and-so" person. With wide knowledge in your head, two hands to do productive work and a holisitic mind, you can do great things in this field. We must remember that in contrast to physical dysfunction, mental illnesses are life-long. Clients with this kind of disability doesn't need someone to tell them that they are "SICK", they need someone to help them cope with it through life. And that an OT can give...(and of course, let's not forget the family's love with that)

That's about it~! Hope I can share more often. I've been pretty busy lately.

Sherlock OT

Yesterday, was my second day as a fourth year occupational therapy student. My first day was rather disappointing really and it still bothers me until now but I can't be moping about my problems all the time, ne? So anyway, It was our OT 4 class and since it's still the first week, we just did a short orientation. According to our professor, we will be learning all about "evaluation tools" and "batteries" which will be most likely used in the mental health practice. I'm not sure what form they really take but I heard her say something about "checklists" in the United States. She said that unlike in the States where the therapist only needs to fill out the check list, a thorough narration laid down by the client (occasionally, the family and friends as well) is written here in the Philippines. She added that these tools are essential in properly documenting the client. Well, I must say that an observation alone and confirming it on a piece of paper by a check can't really suffice compared to the detailed narration. Certain points can be missed out especially when the client changes therapists often. At that point, a successful therapy is far from happening. It will be stalled. For how long? Who knows? Up until the essential details can be covered, I guess. It's like your patching up a mystery murder from in a detective novel. That's right...like SHERLOCK HOLMES!!! A therapist is like a detective on a case; thus one's observation and deduction skills must be furnished. Without the clues which provide the outline of the crime, justice cannot be served; without the essential details which needs to be noted in the documentation, therapy will be lacking.



This will not be easy; nevertheless, it is what gives this course thrill.