final weekly reflection

Looking back on these three weeks it was probably the most fun and best learning experience I have had in forever.  I usually find it difficult to connect things that I learn in class to life, but when things are hands on it is so much easier for me to understand and apply everything.  Working in the trainers room was incredibly rewarding in several different ways because of the contact of helping people through things and making connections with them because of the aiding and recooperative help you lend.  I'm very glad I chose to work in the trainers as my senior project because it really helped me learn a lot in a short amount of time, and also because it gave me time to do something that I really enjoy, and that is helping fix people.  I know that the things I have done here at proctor will all aid in my becoming successful in my future path, but probably the most useful experiences were those I spent outside of the classrooms, and I thank everyone at proctor for that.  Being allowed to almost do a full internship experience in a training room is something that is not usually heard of as just being a senior in high school, but I was so glad it was granted to me because I will never take that time for granted.  I reached all of the goals I set before myself because of the help and education I received from both Kelly and Chris while I was with them. 

day 13

In thew past two days I have been doing much the usual stuff in the training room, and as such have been able to get the real feeling of being a trainer.  Chris was not here for the past day or so so I got to act as a sudo stand in with Kelley as my commander.  I have gained more experience stretching athletes out and know the different ways to stretch a person to alleviate pains.  My review should be coming up soon, so I am working on putting together all of my things to make a good final presentation.  

day 11

The start of my very last week of senior project.  I have started setting up some plans with Chris and Kelley as to what will be happening for the last week.  So far I have met all of my goals, but just in case I will be reviewing them to see if theirs any little stuff to be finished, and as for the big picture; I will be doing a spine boarding on an injured volunteer from the training room so that I can review that technique and responsive skill.  I will also be reviewing some emergency response techniques that can apply to both Athletic Training as well as those skills of a basic responder.  I'm sad to be finishing soon, but I have learned a lot, and with come away from it having had a great time and experienced some new things.  

Weekly reflection

This week I learned tons of different things that as a whole was part of my goals that were set at the very beginning of my senior project.  At the beginning of the week I became much more curious as to how the body reacts to injuries, and how it then heals itself through several different processes.  A book that Chris gave to me explains everything as well as the scientific  reactions of our bodies.  One of the other things I learned that was a big part of my goals for senior project was the use of any healthcare providers code of conduct.  I originally was introduced to it, because I accidently divulged information that I was against one part of the code, which is something along the lines of patient/care giver confidentiality.  I went on the NATA web site and read through some of the possible lawsuits and bilaws, which helped me understand the more behind the scenes requirements of anyone who is in the life saving profession.

throughout the week I continued my observations of rehabilitation of patients with torn ACL or MCL.  I must say it is really rewarding just to be able to witness a persons regaining of range of motion even before surgery, because you know it will be that much easier for them to recover afterwards.  Also regarding those with trouble with mobility I learned how to set crutches properly for people.

All of the in between knowledge and skills I am gaining from doing this senior project has been really helpful to my growth as a general healthcare provider, and has given me so much more insight as to how athletic training works from the inside out. 

day 10

Today I got to learn something right out of one of my resources.  HIPPA.  When training to be an Athletic trainer you must know the trainers code of ethics which is called HIPPA, and is a code written to promote trainer-patient confidentiality.  The idea of it all is to demonstrate what a trainers demeanor should always be while working.  I accidently let someone's information slip in the training room, and thats how the educating came about.  I was also given a book by Chris today that will help me understand from beginning to end, the bodies reaction to damage and its process of healing.  I think it will be really useful.  As of now I am also starting to come up with ideas of what my presentation should be for the end of my senior project.  I think I will start documenting a bit with my camera of the kinds of things that go on in the training room day-to-day.  

day 9

Today I learned how to sink a tennis ball into a head rest.  Just kidding!! what I actually did today was to observe exercises that are meant to improve an athletes muscle before going into a surgery for torn MCL or ACL.  Doing the exercises and stretches to increase mobility helps in making it easier for the athlete after surgery with regaining muscle memory.  If their muscles are well worked before then it makes it that much easier and faster for them to recover it when they return to everything.  Applying it to an experience and watching the progression has really helped.

day 8

Normal day in the training room today.  Got to observe pre-surgical treatment for injuries such as torn MCL or ACL, and learned that before a surgery is performed it is preferred that the patient have full range of motion in that body part.  Several of the goals I set to begin my senior project are very close to being met, because of the constantly new injury situations I get to observe, and because Kelley and Chris have done an amazing job at keeping me on top of my set goals, and asking questions always helps.  I'm very grateful to be working with such well trained and informed people, and also to know that they really want my experience to be a good one.  Its been amazing so far.  Working towards my last goals, and also learning a lot of things in between.  

day 7 back on track

Since the return of our usual patients I have been able to ask more questions that relate to their cases.  Small things like the reason behind the way E-stim pads are placed on for different cases, and I also learned how to administer a SAC test.  I'm becoming comfortable with the "every day tasks", and am taking on more responsibilities each day that I believe are really helping me to apply my understandings of how the body adapts and works.  I'm looking forward to taking my Basic certification class this summer more now that I have a better base to go from, and I'm glad I chose this because it always keeps you on your feet. 

weekly reflection

Leah Croteau                                                                                                                       5/10/09

Athletic Training                                                                                                                  week 1

Weekly Reflection                                                                  

 

For My first week of Senior Project I learned a lot of new and interesting things.  For that start of the week I was watching and then preceded to practice some of the basic taping and wrapping techniques a trainer uses.  While I was there I was constantly observing the day-to-day aspects of the training room, like the use of Ice packs and heat wraps that were applied to certain muscular areas of athletes.  The use of the E-Stim machine was also something I always watched being used and was fascinated by.  A day or so into the week I began to ask questions in relation to the reasons behind things like applying ice or heat to something, and also about the ways that athletes were stretched to either prevent injury or decrease pain from a prior injury of the affected area.

I really enjoyed what I was doing, because I love helping people, even with the little things like grabbing a towel or wrapping an ice bag.  I’ve been learning a lot even just in a week of working, and completely understand that the activities I am being asked to do are all things that seem small, but are all steps of prevention, and it is all helping build my confidence up to what I would have to be to really help in Athletic Training.

Everything has been happening as expected, but even expecting things in a field like Athletic Training can always have surprises, especially if teenage boys act as they do.  Chris likes to call them “Job Security”.  I am really enjoying working in the training room and am learning news things every day . 

day 6

Almost up to date.  It was a pretty normal day, Their were 3 games going on at the same times out on carr frield, two varsity lax games, and 1 JV lax, so we parked in the central area to keep an eye on everything.  Luckily their were no injuries in any of the games, and all of the teams won, so it was a pretty good day.  We also got our favorite injured person back in the trainers to treat, so I will hopefully get to learn a bit more about long term care, and I can also ask about any of our responsibilities if their is ever a patients need for surgical procedures.  I feel I have learned a lot in one week, and am eager to continue.

day 5 (late for the 8th)

I realize this post is late due to my falling asleep, and also to the fact that I never got to post saturday, yesterday, night because of the Formal.  So, in general my dating will look pretty messed up until monday, but I can assure that my day by day activities I am writing about are accurate because I have been keeping a small hand written log.  

OK! back to the subject at hand.  This friday we had a couple games going on, and most all of the usual people came in to be taped, stretched etc.  I have now mastered the plastic wrapping technique for all ice bags, and am also beginning to be trusted with more responsibilities.  Kelley entrusted me with someone with a quad that needed to be stretched, and also explained to me the idea behind the use of the E-stim machine which I must admit is really intriguing.  I've started thinking about what I will write for my weekly reflection and realize that their is so much I can write about, because I have already learned so much, even just regarding the aspect of what it takes to work in a training room.  cant wait for next week.

day 4

I've definitely started to get used to the routine a bit more, and so I can actually start helping a bit more rather than just sitting and observing. The observations I have been doing, however, have been very useful as well. I have become more comfortable with my ability to recognize the different techniques that are being applied, and am starting to understand the reasons behind them. So far I have not witnessed any bad injuries on the fields, and I am partly glad for that because I'm not sure if I would be ready for that, but since I am getting a little more acclimated to the whole thing I think it will get easier.

update because computer wouldnt work

Yesterday was the interning trainer from colby-saywers last day, Arin. Kelley, myself, and Arin attended the boys varsity lacrosse game, and I began to learn the responsibility and demeanor of a trainer at games. Learning these new things through the first hand experience has shown to be very beneficial to my understanding of the type of professional demeanor that is exspected of a good trainer. I'm also starting to pick up on the routine in the training room, and so I feel I will hopefully become more useful in the next few days. I'm learning a lot and really trying to make it stick. Hopefully it works out.

day 2

Today I got to witness and be part of preparation for a game.  While people were being taped for different things like arch support, wrist stabilizing, and basic support of twisted ankles, I got to see how the different ways the tape was applied, in what direction, and how it took pressure off of certain joints that needed it.  I have been observing the use of the Stim. machine every day, and do intend to ask more questions about it tomorrow, because I have always been curious as to how electrical pulses can help relax and contract a bundle of muscle.  Chris allowed me to tape his ankle during one of the lulls, and so he walked me through how better to guide the tape so it didnt have creases in it.  He also started explaining the parts of the foot to me.  I completely intend to start doing a bit of anatomy homework every night, because once I understand the ways the body can be moved it will be easier for me to comprehend the individual muscles and ligaments that are impacted when a body part gets hurt.  I'm excited to start learning more things.

day 1

Today was the first day of my senior project.  I started out by making a list of skills that I would like to cover while I am under the teaching of Chris and Kelly.  Chris and I also discussed my reasoning for choosing Athletic Training as my senior project.  He is now aware that I do not intend on entering into the field of Athletic training, but rather that I intend to use it to help me regain some skills that may be useful for my EMT basic test this summer.  I do understand after talking with chris that the two fields of care giving are rather different, but I intend to use all knowledge I gain during my project to better my all around care giving skills.   I later assisted in filling water containers for the various teams, and was then unexpectedly educated about how water is a small step of prevention provided by trainers, so as to avoid dehydration of athletes.  Once the flood of students began I tried to pay close attention to all of the different tapping techniques for the different injuries, as well as during the off time Chris had me review my taping on one of the interning Colby students, as well as relearning a little anatomy of the shoulder area and how to prevent anterior movements of the athlete.  It is clear that I am going to have to review my anatomy and tape jobs, but its all things I am very eager to re-learn and apply.