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DPT Professionalism 2017 personal essay draft [7]
I am not sure if I have answered "What is professionalism in the context of being a student in a doctor of physical therapist degree program?" in my essay, I would really like a couple of pointers from others.the qualities of DPT program student
Professionalism is the top mechanism that supports a professional of any type of career, educational program or volunteer position. Professionalism in all fields, especially in the medical field, holds compassion, communication, high ethical codes, reliability and the desire to benefit others. Being a professional in any occupation, like a physical therapist or a student, involves responsibility of one's actions, education and accountability. There is much more behind being a student than countless study sessions. Each of the qualities originates through the individual's educational background and are engraved through their personal desire to prosper in their area. There are certain traits that are vital for all potential students who are entering a doctor of physical therapist degree program because a good foundation is always key to a propitious profession.
As a young child, materialistic items were scarce but my parents offered a better alternative, they embedded great moral values, responsibility and commitment. They took pride in surrounding me with a strong base of independence, integrity and confidence. I know that hard work is a good way to achieve greater things in life. For those reasons, I try to put every part of me into everything that I do to succeed in anything that I do.
Essential qualities a student in a DPT program must embrace are strong ethics, compassion, and reliability. I believe each of those qualities can produce a prodigious student, physical therapist and individual. A student who is accountable, persistent and compassionate in any educational course reflects a bright future. I feel that I have successfully exhibited these values as part of my experience through shadowing sessions. My experiences with the different physical therapists opened my eyes to what I want to pursue my further education in. I feel that I had great examples of physical therapists during my shadowing process because they all held themselves to be very professional with each of their different patients.
While I was shadowing at an outpatient clinic, I could distinguish each of the core qualities in every individual that practiced there. John was the PT I followed and he demonstrated a very compassionate practice with each of his patients. He never spoke negatively about anyone and held each patient on a throne during their session. He communicated well with his patients by talking them through step by step during each exercise or manual therapy session, as well as getting the message across in simple terms about at home exercises and precautions. The clinic was busy at times, serving around three to six patients consecutively, John (PT), and three PTAs communicated very well on who would treat who and who had done what. I was also thrown into the rushes by providing heat and cold packs, stem, cleaning up the work tables. The staff were dependent on each other to provide excellent treatment and the best efficient recovery for their patients. They set great standards of what to expect in the physical therapy field and during the educational path.
Medical ethics are always carefully practiced in the medical field and student life. A student in a DPT program should enter the field with a comprehensive understanding of beneficence. I gained a tremendous understanding through observations from my shadowing at a hospital. Each PT carried a copious amount of patience as well as respectfulness towards their patients'. In the hospital setting, there was a lot of patients that were "MAX" meaning they needed all the help they could get to perform the simplest tasks, such as sitting up, etc. There was a lot trust built between the patient and the PT. My shadowing provided a gratifying feeling once we saw progress in patients. I saw improvement in patients and it was a great emotion knowing I could witness and even contribute to their progression.
Each trait of professionalism can shape a student in a DPT program into becoming an exceptional PT. Excellent students demonstrate empathy, balance in their life and most importantly the desire to help others. Commitment in education and accountability in every step of the way can account for a long successful path. I may not be as honored as others, but I believe I am a good fit because I am a reliable, committed and altruistic individual and student. Overall, I believe that I possess a well-developed degree of professionalism, which I have gained throughout my education and experience.