Note Taking during Observation & Bridge Burning!

If you are anything like me, if you don't write it down, the chances of you remembering something important later is reallllyy low and the more time that passes, the more that little chance you had just windles away!

When I first started observing OT's, I would never take notes. Not sure why, just wouldn't -- but apparently I wasn't the only one. I would just sit there and watch or help if I was allowed. About 40 hours of observation, at that time, stored somewhere in my brain...so I thought. About 8 months passed and I could recall things I observed here and there, but my memory, especially with specific details, was ridiculously poor. 

It wasn't until my next observation site that one of the hand therapists I observed suggested that we (myself and the other volunteer) take notes, write what we learned, and anything else we found interesting. Duhhh...what was I thinking!! Did I seriously think I could just sit there and watch hours and hours of therapy sessions and remember all the important information I needed to? Psshhtt...see the way my brain is set up. lol ;) 

That evening I went to Wal-Mart and picked up myself a notebook. That next session best believe I had my pen and paper ready. 

Now, the therapist's recommendation was to type up your notes afterwards so that if you are asked during the interview what you learned or something related, you can be like BAM RIGHT THERE! Lol I had every intention of typing up my notes, but I let it get away from me and I  took a lot of notes ...A LOT, but for the notes I did type up here's an example of what I did (picture to the right). 

Tip #1: The most important thing to remember is to NEVER write down the patients' name in your notes. If you were to ever lose that notebook, that is a serious breech of confidentialty. If they were a hard patient for me to remember I would come up with little nicknames for them and write it small in the margin. For example, I named one patient "G," and that was because every time I saw him he always had on a green shirt! Simple things like that. In other cases I would just right down the "condition" or reason they were in therapy and was able to remember from that. 

Tip #2: Highlight some of the specific things you learned, different therapy tools used that are new to you (therapy putty, ultrasound, fluidotherapy, splints, therapy ball, ect.) and what they are used for -- helps for easy location.

Tip #3: If you witness something a therapist does that you think it absolutely wrong, but not ethnically wrong nor puts the patient in danger, it's best to just keep quiet -- don't even facially show disapproval. Write down that you as a practitioner would never do it and just move on. I learned that the hard way. At one of the facilities I observed at, there was something one of the therapists said to her patient, a young boy, and I was absolutely shocked by her response to the boy. I was just like, "Woowww reallyyy!?" (in my head, of course) but I think my face showed how I was feeling all to well. My experience with that therapist turned bad from there. I had issues with her from day one, but from there it was just bad, bad, bad. Let's just say I burned that bridge and you know people talk, so I probably burned a couple more :/. DON'T DO THAT! LEARN FROM MY LESSON! 

Tip #4: If a therapist gives you constructive criticism. Do not take it to heart. Just listen to what is said, write it down if you feel so inclined, and just use it to better yourself or performance. Don't attach yourself to it. It will eat you up inside!

Tip #5: Ask questions! However, remember timing is EVERYTHING. Some therapists don't mind if you ask questions during the session (typically with older patients), but others uh, uh, don't even try it (typically with younger patients). Most therapists would rather you just ask your questions in between patients...and honestly some...not at all lol.  The best thing to do is ask the therapist if it is okay to ask them questions throughout your observation and if so, when is the best time.

Tip #6: Every site you observe at might not be appropriate to take notes at. For example, at another site I observed at we moved around a lot and I would have to grab supplies for her, and help her with this and that. A notebook in that type of situation just gets in the way and is super inconvenient. My suggestion is to just REALLY pay attention and as soon as your observation is up quickly type up everything you remember (on something like your phone). You can also consider using something like a small memo pad that you can quickly stuff in your scrub pocket or pocket of whatever you are wearing! That may be easier for you. 

Tip #7: Read over your notes from time to time so you can keep the important things fresh! It's also good just to reflect. Plus, you may be asked to give examples of "such and such" from your observations during your interview.

Tip of the Blog: No matter what happens during your observations – good, bad, ugly… NEVER let it discourage you from striving to become an OT if that is what you really want. You may make a mistake, someone may something you don't like, but you know what? You live, you learn, and you move on! :D

Tags: Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapy Student, OT Blog, OT Student Blog, Blog, OTS Blog, MOT blog, MOT student, MOT student Blog, OT Student Tips