At Navajeevana they just
recently instituted appointments for their patients. Previously they
were just having patients arrive when it was convenient for them.
Then it was decided to be more effective appointments would be
instituted, however, given the nature of the culture, this is not
strictly adhered to by the patients. They are still getting used to
the system. Also appointments are supposed to be about 45 minutes
according to one of the therapists, however, patients usually end up
staying much longer than that, especially if they are living at the
centre while receiving treatment.
Coming from a culture where
being on time is paramount to how things get done, this has been a
difficult adjustment for me. Its not that I like knowing what is
coming through the door, I actually don't mind that part. Its the pace
of waiting around not knowing when someone is going to show up. It
seems like the Sri Lankan therapists are used to the down time and
make use f it. I like having my down time scheduled. For example, in
Canada we would know that there would be no patient coming until
9:30, so it would be a good time to start tacking a larger project. I
have adapted by bringing my resource book in and have taken to looking
up conditions and the treatments for them to fill the time. Also, I
don't think 1 hour appointments (aside from initial assessments), let
alone appointments that drag on for 3 hours are for me. I like to do
my assessment, provide my treatment and education and then move onto
the next patient. By the 45 minute mark either I have exhausted the
patient or I have run out of ideas for the day. And really the
patient doesn't need me there to stand over them while they do their
isometric quad exercises. Maybe the first couple of sets but after
that they usually have it. So the last couple of days and y aim for
this week is to see if I can change, become more of a neuro therapist
who would love to have unlimited time with patients to be able to get
the reps in and to think more like a Sri Lankan and take my tea in
the middle of seeing a patient to let them have a rest. Perhaps
changing my North american frame of reference will help me be a
better therapist in the Sri Lankan system. When in Rome...
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