Y3S2W12: Paediatrics

Paediatrics was the theme for both CVP and integrated studies. In the integrated studies lab we critiqued a research paper written by the guest lecturer in terms of a family centred approach and the ICF framework. It was then on to another text, a 'children-style' book focused at debunking cultural beliefs that disability is caused as a result of you or your family doing something bad. These books took a surprisingly long time to ready, but had clear messages without being too confrontational or disrespecting the cultural beliefs. The simplicity of the books was also great! The author was a graduate of UoO physio school, and is working in the Philippines as a physio. The second lab was a lot of fun and involved real infants... the running joke was that for the females' in the class, their 'ovaries were working overtime'... fair to say they especially enjoyed that lab. We had three infants in our lab (with their parents), the age range was between three months to 12 months. We got to observe them play and interact with them. Also, we were able to complete the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (for diagnosing developmental delay in infants)... this was much better than completing the outcome measure by watching infants on a video clip like we had in semester one.

CVP paediatric tasks included teaching parents how to mobilise their child's secretions (percussion etc), modifying PEEP (positive end expiratory pressures) by blowing into a glass of water through a straw (with dish washing detergent), manual handling skills for infants with appropriate chest physio interventions (including games for children!). We practised glossopharyngeal breathing "frog breathing"... because this is legitimately how frogs breathe and it legitimately works for humans. We practised a lot of patient education for the caregiver / parent of our patient too!

Business planning was the topic our PHTY355 lecture... it basically took us through the pros, cons and process of creating your own practice (or venture that may require business planning). Here's an insight... we're probably not going to become millionaires from private practice (or from physio in general)... after all, 'health care shouldn't be there to make profits, right?' Ha! Apparently New Zealand has one of the highest rates Kick Start (new) businesses in the world... and one which has one of the most new business failures.

Third year dinner is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, physio event. This year the third year dinner was held on Sunday at LoneStar. It's a night of reflection on our journey through undergraduate physio. Time to share our highs, laugh through our lows, and thank the student exec committee for their long hours. There are some social awards, performances, good food and even better company. This is quite possibly the last time we will all be in one place (other than exams) before we graduate... because next year we're pretty much on our own. Below is a pic taken, prior to our entrées being served, of my good physio class mates (and Gill - a wonderful lecturer who took us in first year for some MSK, and most of integrated studies this year). Professional looking bunch.

Integrated studies individual community assignment was handed in on Monday... I last mentioned this around mid-semester break, but I wasn't sure where the assignment instructions were... we got those a week or so after the mid-semester break... I linked osteoarthritis of the knee, quality of life and physiotherapy from data collected from our community visit.

Clinical studies requires SWATs, clinical diaries and reflective statements from all four placements be submitted as a final 3rd year portfolio. These portfolios were due on Friday. I'm all up to date - no more assignments or portfolios to submit this year... Time to focus on external exams!

One week of lectures to go!