For my internship I observed several Occupational Therapists in different settings. I witnessed healing in many forms and was able to notice methods that were effective and distinguish them from methods that were less or even ineffective. This was an incredible opportunity to experience Occupational Therapy in a way that was extremely conducive to learning. This internship has increased my passion for this field exponentially.
I was always aware of the importance of knowledge when it came to healing. Health care providers need to have be acutely aware of the human body and its processes. This applies to an individual’s physical health as well as his or her mental health. It takes years of rigorous schooling and hands-on experience before being able to practice, and even after that there are continuing education requirements. Much of the healing a saw in observing therapy was this “scientific” healing. Therapists would record measurements each week, allowing progress to be quantified. For some patients this was encouraging, for some it was discouraging, and for many, it did not mean much to them. There were also generally exercises involved. They would consist of several motions, each a specific amount of reps at certain times of the day. All the notes, along with detailed images, were often provided to the patient as well. These were all things I expected to see. What I did not realize was what the art of healing was and the impact that it had on care.
When I say “art,” one may think of your favorite painting or maybe even of interpretive dance. That’s at least what initially came to mind for me. I have learned it to be so much more than that. The art of healing encompasses what it means to be a compassionate, empathetic, perceptive provider. This form of healing is in the kindness a provider shows a patient, the act of actively listening, or the personal relationship between the two. My preceptor told me about a time she took a patient to a park to go feed birds from her hand. This patient used to be an avid birder, but with her age, she had become legally blind and deaf and missed being able to see and hear the birds. I witnessed an emotional goodbye between another OT and his patient patient he had been working with for months. This deep, emotional connection was not something I had imagined I would observe in the settings I was in, but there it was.
This experience has showed me that when the science and art of medicine are combined, the product is a well-rounded, educated, compassionate health care provider. My passion for the field of Occupational Therapy has only become stronger through this class. I have been able to learn so much through others; I cannot wait to apply this to my own practice one day.
-Teresa Bell
