Dec 11 2023 44 mins 1
In episode 398 of the Mechanical Care Forum, we’re continuing with Season 13, spotlighting another from this year’s cohort: Tim Davis along with his clinical tutor Todd Edelson. We discuss Tim’s hopes for the placement going into the 9 weeks, Todd’s intention and structure of the clinical time, a couple of patient cases which offered some good learning opportunities for Tim, and plenty more!
Show Notes
(by Jayla Hall)
(3:30)
Meet Todd Edelson and Diploma Candidate Tim Davis
Tim Davis currently works in a private practice outpatient clinic in Montana. His hopes for the clinical residency include improved communication with the patient and efficiency in clinical care.
Todd Edelson is a diplomate of the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy. Beginning in 2003, Todd has been directing the MDT certified clinic Montclair Physical Therapy in New Jersey.
(6:00)
Todd’s Diploma Clinical Residency
Montclair Physical Therapy is a primarily direct-pay private practice (services may also be covered by Medicare insurance). Patients’ motivation, therefore, typically differs from that which is observed in an insurance-based physical therapy clinic.
Quotes:
“We train our patients to be independent rather than dependent, which is [an essential facet of the McKenzie Method].” –Todd
Clinicians also provide a 1:1 service to prevent double-booking, and every evaluation and follow-up is one hour and thirty minutes, respectively.
Todd continues:
“There’s plenty of time for the patient, and there’s plenty of time for us–the clinician and diploma candidate–to really go through a meaningful thought process. It’s not rushed.”
During any given residency, Todd has supervised one or two diploma candidates. In both cases, he has observed a general contentment of a single candidate or two candidates who share their clinical residency. In the latter case, Todd pinpoints the significance of personalities interacting and how well-meshed they are in the collaborative process.
Quote:
“The benefit of having two people is that they can [collaborate]. They help each other: if I ask a question and one doesn’t know, then the other comes in like an older sibling to help out.”
(11:34)
DPT Manual Tutorials
(19:47)
How to Be a Life-Long Learner: Todd’s Advice for the Diploma Candidate
Todd refers to Robin McKenzie’s quote (“My patients taught me everything I know”), highlighting the importance of the patient in the clinician’s continued learning and education.
Quotes:
“Listen to the person [who’s] sitting in front of you, because [he/she] knows more about [his/her] problem than anybody [else].” –Todd
“[The patient] is going to have plenty of time to tell [the clinician] his/her story, and we need to hear it.”
“It’s not about being fast [in the evaluation]; it’s about being accurate.” –Todd
(25:12)
An Enlightened Moment in a Patient Case
Tim recalls a moment in the evaluation process in which he conducted a ~20-25 min. history intake before noticing the patient’s right lateral shift upon standing. Reflecting on this, Tim presumed that he would have been aware of the shift if he’d observed the patient walk into the clinic prior to the evaluation, consequently saving time during the evaluation and efficiently correcting the shift.
Quote:
“The things that we learn most are the things that we do [incorrectly]. You learn nothing by being [correct] all the time. If it’s not a safety issue, then I will let it go [because] it becomes a much greater learning experience.” –Todd
(32:30)
The Value of Clearing the Spine
(34:56)
Tim’s Clinical Growth
We would like to thank Episode 398’s sponsor, The McKenzie Institute International. The McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy is globally recognized as a leading treatment for back, neck and extremities disorders. The McKenzie Institute International offers the diploma program to those professionals who have achieved prior certification in the method.
If you’re interested in learning more, go to The McKenzie Institute International.
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