How to Shadow a Physical Therapist?

You’re thinking about becoming a Physical Therapist! That’s great! First, shadow someone in this field. It’s important to find out if this career is right for you before you spend your time and money. I’ll help you through this process. By the time you finish reading this article, you will feel sure about choosing this long but rewarding career path.

I will talk about some questions you can ask PTs when you interview them. I will also cover what we, as patients or clients, expect from them while we are there during our shadows. Plus, I will share ways they can impress us. Last, I will explain how to use our limited time there most effectively, giving no one too much information at once. Let’s begin!

What Is the Purpose of Shadowing?

1. “Shadowing” is a way to see what it is like to work in the medical field. By following someone throughout their day, you can look at everything involved in caring for patients.
2. During this time, you can also learn how things work. This helps you figure out if this career is a good fit for you!
3. If you are shadowing a physical therapist, you have several goals to keep in mind. This includes how the PT talks to their patients and what actions they take during therapy sessions.
4. You should also pay attention to how much time they spend discussing future therapy plans. It is important to watch how long they take to give feedback after each session. A good time spent shadowing will help you feel ready when it’s your turn!

Who Can Shadow A Physical Therapist?

Shadowing is becoming a must for occupational therapists. As the time to graduate increases, many programs ask for observation and shadowing hours. Before starting the DPT program, these hours need to be verified by a licensed PT or PTA and included in the application.

Many PT schools ask applicants to include 1-2 shadow days in their applications. This helps them gain real experience in the profession.

How to Find a Physical Therapist to Shadow?

It’s important to check if your available times fit with the place you are shadowing. One hour a day for a week of observing physical therapy might not be enough. However, two hours on Thursday or Friday morning could be a great option!

1. Asking In Person: Since not many people visit an outpatient clinic, you will stand out when you do. Try to go in the morning. It is usually quieter, so the therapists can pay attention to you when they’re free. Remember, just because there are no clients doesn’t mean they won’t arrive later!
2. By Calling: A good way to find a place is by calling them. The hardest part isn’t making the call, but getting the right information about what you want and where to go. You can shadow both outpatient and inpatient clinics.
3. Through Email: If you can’t go in person, you can email their contact page with your questions. It might take some time to hear back, so it’s best to wait until lunchtime. This is when most people finish eating and might respond to emails better than during busy times like after work.
4. Surrounding Suggestions: If you need a physical therapist and are starting your wellness journey, ask friends or family for suggestions. Getting recommendations from people who have used their services is often better than relying on random reviews online.

The best way to talk to a recruiter can change. To make the most of your chances, you need to be open and willing to use different ways to reach out.

Procedure For Shadowing a Physical Therapist

• Setting up a Plan: After you have the chance to shadow a PT in a clinic or hospital, you should make a clear plan. Think about these questions:

• What do you hope to achieve after completing the experience?

• PTs, or physical therapists, talk to patients to understand their needs.
• They listen to patients’ concerns and ask questions about their pain or issues.
• During sessions, PTs create a plan that best helps each patient.
• They show easy exercises for patients to follow.
• PTs guide them and help them improve their strength and movement.
• They also check the progress and adjust the plan if needed.
• Communication is key in building trust and making progress.
• A good relationship with their patients helps in recovery.

• How much time do they spend talking about therapy plans?
• How long does it take to give feedback after each session?
• What about other related discussions?

1. Observation: Shadowing is a good way to learn about the work of physical therapists or PTs. You need to pay attention for it to be useful. When shadowing, don’t use your phone. Stay close to the PT and the patient. Watch closely as the therapy happens.
2. Asking Questions: When you shadow, asking the right questions at the right time will help your learning. However, don’t let your questions distract the PT from caring for their patient. Be aware of how long you talk. Write down important information quickly. In this fast-paced world, notes can easily get lost.

Common Questions to Ask a PT During Shadowing

• What makes you want to be a physical therapist?
• What advice do you have for people who want to pursue a career in physical therapy?
• How do you handle more challenging patients?
• Can you share details about this patient’s condition?
• How do you treat patients with progressive or degenerative diseases?
• Do you recommend any books or resources to help us learn about physical therapy?

These are some good questions to ask a physical therapist whenever you have the chance to talk with them during your shadowing.

Some Shadowing Tips

1. Follow the advice given. To get the most from your shadowing, you need to listen to your PT or the hospital authority.
2. Limit your questions. Asking too many questions may upset the Physical therapist. This can distract him from his work.
3. What should you wear? Volunteers at medical clinics have a casual dress code. This means not-shirts and jeans. Make sure your clothes are not too revealing and are in the right colors. Some patients can be sensitive to certain colors. Consider any tattoos you have, as some clinics may not allow them.
4. What should you take? While shadowing a physical therapist, write down what you learn about each patient. So, bring a notebook and pen, along with other things you are allowed to have.
5. How to answer questions? You may be asked about your experience with physical therapy during a patient’s treatment. Try to give a clear and brief answer that doesn’t take over the conversation.

Exploring the Settings and Specialties in Physical Therapy

When thinking about a job in physical therapy, it’s important to know the different places and specialties in the field. Physical therapists work in many settings, each giving unique experiences and challenges.

For example, outpatient clinics are the most common places. In these clinics, therapists help patients recover from surgeries or injuries.

Hospitals let PTs work with patients who are in the hospital. They provide care and support to help them recover. Knowing these differences can help you find out what you like and guide your shadowing experience.

Exploring different specialties is very important. Physical therapy includes several specializations like orthopedics, geriatrics, and pediatrics. Pediatrics is about treating children and helping with development issues.

This requires special skills and different ways to treat young patients. When you follow different therapists in various places, notice how they change their techniques depending on the age and needs of their patients. This understanding will be very helpful as you think about your future in the field of physical therapy.

Specialties

When you want to shadow a physical therapist and consider attending physical therapy school, the first thing is to know why you want to shadow them. It’s also important to know who is allowed to shadow a physical therapist. After that, look for a physical therapist to shadow and learn about the steps to do that.

Asking common questions while shadowing can improve your experience and help you get a letter of recommendation. Finally, using shadowing tips can help you learn more. These steps are important for understanding the field of physical therapy better.

Settings

To find a physical therapist to shadow, you can email them or talk to them in person. Be sure to ask about any paperwork and their availability.

Also, check if there are any requirements, like vaccinations. When you shadow, pay attention to how they care for patients. Notice how they interact, and feel free to ask questions about their work and the field of physical therapy.

Show your interest in what they do and ask about their experience in PT school, including their PT school experience. Make sure to ask good questions about specialties and different career paths in physical therapy. Always be professional, respectful, and thankful for the chance to shadow.

Shadowing Multiple Professionals

When you shadow in physical therapy, it helps to watch not only physical therapists but also physical therapy assistants (PTAs) and other healthcare workers. PTAs support physical therapists and help carry out treatment plans. They play a key role in rehabilitation. By following a PTA, you can learn about their daily tasks and how they work together with other professionals.

You might also want to shadow other healthcare workers. This includes occupational therapists or sports medicine doctors. Learning from them will give you a better view of how patient care works.

Each job has a role in a complete treatment plan. Talking with people from different fields can strengthen your desire for a career in physical therapy. It can also help you understand what you really want to do in your career.

In your shadowing experience, pay attention to how physical therapists (PTs) interact with their patients. Notice how they talk, encourage, and teach clients during rehab. Watching these interactions will help you learn more about physical therapy. It will also give you useful insights for your future studies and practice.

The Importance of Shadowing Diverse Roles

Shadowing many healthcare workers is very important for anyone wanting to be a physical therapist. When you watch different roles, you learn a lot about patient care. You also see how people work together in the health field. Each person has their own skills and knowledge. This helps you understand better how physical therapy is a part of the larger healthcare system.

Shadowing different roles lets you look at many career options in the healthcare field. You might find that a different job fits better with what you like and what you are good at.

For example, if you shadow a sports medicine doctor and enjoy their work with athletes’ injuries, you may want to follow that path. By trying out several roles, you can decide wisely about your future career and make sure you are heading in the right direction.

What to Ask Physical Therapy Assistants and Other Staff

During your shadowing experience, it’s important to talk with physical therapy assistants (PTAs) and other staff. This will help you learn more about the field. Here are some key questions you can ask: What interesting continuing education courses do you recommend?

• What is a normal day like for a PTA? This question lets you see the daily tasks and struggles PTAs face in the clinic.
• How do you help physical therapists with treatment plans? This shows how PTAs work together with therapists and support patient care.
• What skills are the most important for success in your job? Knowing about the key skills can guide you as you prepare for your career.
• What kinds of patients do you usually work with? This helps you understand the different experiences you might have in your practice.
• What tips would you share with someone thinking about a career in physical therapy? Hearing from experienced professionals can give you good advice as you plan your career path.

By asking these questions, you can connect well with the staff. This will help you get key information. It can assist you in your path to becoming a physical therapist.

Vertex:

As a physical therapist, staying updated is very important. This post will show you how to shadow a physical therapist. You can learn about their findings and how they work. Right now, shadowing a pt during covid might be different than before. Most of the interaction will now be online-based.