What were the strengths of your placement?
This placement offered plenty of hands on assessment and treatment time with patients. I felt that I had opportunity to practice several of the assessment tools and outcome measures used in the classroom (e.g. MAS, Berg balance, 6MWT, Chedoke etc). This placement increased my confidence and handling skills. The site offered in-services for students on NDT techniques, ASIA testing, Chedoke scoring and charting. I also had the opportunity to work with stroke rehabilitation and I became more resourceful in choosing exercises for patients post stroke. It also strengthened my abilities to work in a team focused/IPE environment and to teach a Parkinson's group exercise class.

 What were the challenges of your placement?
The challenges were communicating with patients post stroke. I was able to observe a SLP session, which enabled me to incorporate some components of the patient's therapy into our treatment sessions. It was at times challenging to understand the patient or to avoid filling in words for them. 

Another challenge was prescribing equipment and knowing whether to use a dictus, AFO, type gait aid and at what stage of recovery. I did achieve a better sense of this towards the end of the placement. 

What were the lessons learned while doing your placement?
A few of the lessons learned was the importance of the voice of the PT during rounds and family meetings. Physicians and other members of the team often look to physiotherapist for information about the patient's mobility, discharge status, or whether spasticity medication may be required. Completing thorough assessments and being prepared for rounds is key. 

I also learned the importance in using tools such as Berg or Chedoke routinely to monitor the impact of treatments. Even though patients appeared to improve they may not have changed their score dramatically. I learned to distinguish subtleties in scoring. 

Was there a highlight of your placement?
The highlights of my placement were the techniques I learned when I was there.  I became more confident with NDT techniques for use in a stroke population. This was a large focus at the Miller Centre, so I had the opportunity to practice these skills with my clinical instructor and my patients over the course of my placement. This is a great technique to add to the "tool box". 

Overall comments on your placement experience:
This placement was a great experience for me. The combination of my CI, caseload, Miller Centre staff and environment made it enjoyable.