Ask for assistance if you feel uncomfortable.

This week I went onto a different ward and met a burns pt in his early 20’s. The pt had approx 9% of his body unaffected from the incident. Talking to the other student and PT who usually attend to this pt, it was revealed that he had a very extensive PMHx with behavioural issues. The other PT student and myself begun performing hand stretches when he shouted ‘stop touching my hands, F**k off’. The other student who knew him better explained how important the stretches were but he kept on shouting. He then just stopped and calmed down, and then the PT walked into the room. The pt then looked at me and said “are you stoned, because you look really stoned’. From the initial swearing and then being asked this question I felt very uncomfortable and taken back by the behaviour of this pt. I responded ‘no, i’ve recently been sick’. The PT spoke to him about his professionalism towards us and he responded with an inappropriate answer. The pt then went on to ask me to just leave my number on the table before I left. I was so embarrassed by this comment. The PT again spoke to the pt about his behaviour.

I have worked with non compliant pts before but working with this one was different. I felt really uncomfortable being in that room with him. We all left the room and the PT explained that I handled that situation well and that I did not have to see that pt again. I believe that if you don’t feel comfortable working with a particular pt then you don’t have too. If I was to see that pt again I would ensure that there was another person in the room with me.

KEEPING A PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR PT'S CAN HAVE GREY AREAS. IF HOWEVER YOU FEEL LIKE THAT BARRIER IS BEING CROSSED IN A WAY THAT COMPROMISES YOUR WORKING ABILITY THEN ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN. WE WILL ALL WORK WITH NON COMPLIANT PT'S BUT I HAVE LEARNT THAT THERE IS NO HARM IN ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE FROM ANOTHER PERSON TO AID IN TREATING THESE PTS. PT'S HAVE NO RIGHT TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST US.