Sample Log Entries

2/9 Monday
With the start of the new semester fast approaching, I began my new internship at Presbyterian Healthplex a bit early. I wanted to complete this second practicum in an inpatient setting after having worked in an outpatient physical therapy clinic during the fall. The Healthplex exposes me to the truly vast applications of exercise as a treatment for a plethora of diseases and conditions. In addition to working in an inpatient physical therapy setting, I will also be able to work in the exercise center with a variety of patients that are recovering from anything from arthritis to a heart attack. On this first day, I completed a safety test and took a TB test; later, I was given my badge that will allow me access to the Healthplex as well as the main Presbyterian Hospital. I look forward to doing some volunteer work there as well. I then returned to the gym and met with Patty Fischer, who is the internship coordinator. She gave a quick tour of the facility and showed me the manifold programs and opportunities that the Healthplex offers. In addition, she introduced me to a many of the staff that were present that day, including Kathryn, Anna, Monica, Janelle, Melissa, Chris, Carl, Mari, Mary, and David. All of these individuals play a distinctive and important role in the workings of the various programs taking place. I look forward to getting to know each of them better. The most exciting prospect of this internship is the sheer opportunity to learn a great a deal about a great many aspects of exercise and health.
Day Hours 6.0
RUNNING TOTAL HOURS 6.0


2/11 Wednesday
My second day at my new post was sort of a trial by fire as I quickly joined the staff on the floor in the main gymnasium. From this position, the person on duty is responsible for the general comings and goings on the exercise equipment. When someone is not on the floor, they may have personal appointments with individuals or may be preparing to teach a class. After spending some time on the floor, I joined Patty for a chair class for seniors (who make up the vast majority of the population at the Healthplex). This class was designed to promote balance, coordination, and spatial awareness. All of the seniors, many of whom are cardiac or pulmonary rehab patients, seemed to enjoy the class. After lunch, the entire facility is dedicated to cardiac patients for a couple of hours; each patient is closely monitored during their exercise session, and a cardiologist is on hand as a precaution. During this time, new patients are also evaluated with a treadmill and other tests. I joined Mary and Theresa for a couple of these tests, and I was quite amazed by the equiqment and the efficiency of the staff in completing the tests. I was also to more closely observe several of the cardiac patients as they completed their exercise routines. As I become more acquainted with the process, I will be assigned a patient during these periods.
Day Hours 8.0
RUNNING TOTAL HOURS 14.0


2/12 Thursday
My early morning began with a routine walk around the main gym facility as I spoke with patients and staff alike. Upon arriving at the general staff area across from the gym floor, I was assigned to assist Mari with floor duty. During this time, she showed me the workings of the many different pieces of exercise equipment that can be found on the floor, including numerous cardiovascular and strength training machines. As part of my internship, I am required to know the workings of all of the various pieces of equipment, so this was very helpful. She also showed me how to use the oxygen saturation device, the glucose monitor, and the pulse monitors that can be found throughout the gym. In addition, she showed me the location of the excess oxygen tanks as well as where they can be filled and how to fill them. As time progresses, I will certainly learn a great deal about particular concerns in this setting. Later I observed and participated in a balance class taught by Mari. She used simple stretching exercises and lightweight bars as part of her program for the seniors participating. On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, pulmonary rehab takes place in the main gym, but I was unable to attend that day. However, I look forward to being a part of this program in the coming weeks.
Day Hours 4.0
RUNNING TOTAL HOURS 18.0


2/16 Monday
I began a very busy morning by attending a one-hour balance and stretching class taught by Patty in the main gymnasium. This class included the use of weights, weight bars, therabands and Swiss balls; the intensity of the program was fairly high given the demographics of the participants, but Patty explained that many in the class had been attending for quite some time. As I participated in the workout, I was amazed at the number of people in the class and the enthusiasm they exhibited in relation to exercise. Having participated in the class myself, I would highly recommend it to any person, regardless of age, who wishes to improve their balance and flexibility. After the class, Patty showed me how to operate several of the weight machines on the floor, and I was also able to practice taking blood pressures. Following lunch, I went to the Aquatics center in order to observe a new mom/child class taught by Theresa and Janelle; this was certainly quite stimulating to the kids and their mothers, all of whom were certainly enjoying their time. I then returned to the Healthplex and joined Mari for an initial assessment (IA) of a new member. We chatted with LS for several minutes about his particular difficulties and goals for his program, and then we showed him some of the cardio equipment that he will be using. I concluded the day by attending a seminar for cardiac patients on relaxation; I felt that it was not extremely helpful, but some in attendance seemed to enjoy it.
Day Hours 7.0
RUNNING TOTAL HOURS 25.0


2/18 Wednesday
I began this afternoon by joining Monica for an IA with a patient who is an employee of the Presbyterian Healthcare system. She likes to ski, but recurring knee problems have made this difficult and painful for her. We showed her a few appropriate cardiovascular exercises, and also several resistance-training activities that will strengthen her muscles and allow her to ski pain-free. After this assessment, I joined the rest of the staff in the lounge for Rounds, where we discuss the upcoming cardiac rehab patients and any particular concerns that may exist with a particular patient. This is very interesting as I get to see much of what I learned in class at work in the real world… About three o’clock, the first patients started to arrive; I assisted by taking blood pressures and pulses and setting up telemetry units for the incoming patients. Due to a shortage of staff this day, I was assigned to three of the patients – this allowed me to monitor their exercise and in one case, an EKG reading. Applying what I learned in class, this was a very interesting experience. I then checked people out by taking pulses and blood pressures once more. I concluded the day with another lecture, this one hosted by a pediatrician. He talked a great deal about the significance of the EKG, and modern medicine in heart health.
Day Hours 4.0
RUNNING TOTAL HOURS 29.0


2/19 Thursday
The early morning hours are fairly busy at the Healthplex, so there were several seniors in to exercise that morning. However, with ample staff on hand, I was able to spend some time working on two upcoming projects – a bulletin board and a lecture I have planned. Since I am focusing my lecture on osteoporosis, I did a great deal of research online, and I also spoke with a few patrons who have the disease. Their willingness to share provided me with some great information. Later in the morning, I joined Patty for floor duty; however, she was busy with other important business, so I was left in charge of the floor. I assisted a handful of people with their exercises and was basically available for those working out. Later, I joined Mary, an RN, who showed me the workings of the “crash cart,” which is on hand in case of emergency. This cart contains oxygen, a defibrillator, cardiac drugs and IV drips, and various associated objects. In the clutch, we would have to act fast to save a life…quite empowering. I finished the day by acting as a spotter in a balance class – these seniors have trouble walking, so this class is of extreme importance to them. The activities comprised of simple walking, but these patients need the assistance.
Day Hours 4.0
RUNNING TOTAL HOURS 33.0


2/23 Monday
I began the week by spending some time on the floor with Monica. She is an exercise tech who specializes in cardiac rehab; we spent some time chatting about what there is out there in the field for exercise physiologists. We also checked all of the machines to ensure that their batteries were adequate and that they were working properly. In a few cases, we had to change the batteries in the display units on some of the cardio machines. After some time on the floor, I joined Patty as we began preparation for the upcoming cardiac rehab session. I also assisted Ramona, an RN, with preparations as well. As the cardiac patients began coming in before three, I took a check-in position; I was then able to get the patients ready to go by taking heart rates and blood pressures, and preparing them for a monitor when necessary. After the doctor came in, I focused on my charge for the session, ES, who suffered an MI just six weeks ago. She seemed in good spirits, and I assisted her with her exercises, which included a slow lap walking, some work on the NuStep, and work on a recumbent bike. I also kept a close watch on her EKG. After the cardio session, I assisted in checking patients out (HR and BP once more), and I attended a lecture being given by Monica on the risk factors of heart disease. I found it to be very informative, and she appeared to be very knowledgeable.
Day Hours 4.0
RUNNING TOTAL HOURS 37.0


2/25 Wednesday
I began my afternoon by spending some time on the floor with Monica. Several people were in for their daily exercise, so we stayed fairly busy. A bit later, Patty showed me some of the newer weights equipment, the Free Motion machines. They are based on the principles of an open chain and promote full range of motion; they also have a very smooth motion that will really push you throughout the contraction. The entire staff then gathered for Rounds, where we discussed the upcoming cardiac rehab session, and the new patients that would be joining us. It is extremely interesting to see these amazing conditions in the real world, and the people that must deal with them. As the patients started to arrive, I assisted the staff by checking people in by taking blood pressures and heart rates before the patients began their exercises. Once the doctor showed up, I was assigned to a single patient on the floor, and I kept a close watch on her as she completed her exercises. During this time, I also assisted a handful of other patients with the equipment. I concluded the day by attending a lecture being given by Chris on the benefits of resistance training. He invited me to participate and give my thoughts on the subject.
Day Hours 4.5
RUNNING TOTAL HOURS 41.5


2/26 Thursday
This morning brought the promise of some new opportunities at the Healthplex. As I arrived, I again spent some time on the floor with Bobbi and Stephanie. Because the staff was shorthanded that morning, I was left to supervise the floor for some time. I continue to learn new things each day in this position, and I had to deal with a struggling patient this day…more on that later. A little later, I met with Pam, who is the coordinator of pulmonary rehab. She provided some valuable insight into the unique challenges facing pulmonary patients that may not be faced by cardiac patients. She may be a bit biased, but she commented on the determination and graciousness of those in lung gym. This was a very insightful talk. After the meeting, I was hoping to complete my first IA, but the patient unfortunately canceled; I’m sure that a will get another opportunity soon. I finished the morning by assisting in a chair class taught by David and Mari. Primarily, I was involved in spotting for the patients, who certainly are at risk of falling.
Day Hours 4.0
RUNNING TOTAL HOURS 45.5


2/30 Monday
As has been the case on many Mondays, I spent some time on the floor during the early afternoon hours. In this position, I look after a great many people on the floor who are exercising, which can be a daunting task. Still, this was a short day, so the time I spent on the floor went just fine. Later, I spoke with Laverne, who is one of Presbyterian’s diabetes specialists. She talked with me in great detail about the impact of this disease on Americans and general, and pointed to the increasing trends of obesity and inactivity for the surge in type II diabetes. She also spoke with me on more personal level, as diabetes runs in my family; this provided me with some excellent ideas on how to assist those that I know with the disease. Now it was already time to prepare for cardiac rehab, so I joined the staff in getting people checked in for their exercise. I took blood pressures and heart rates, and supervised the diabetics in checking their blood sugar. After the lengthy check-in session, I made myself available on the floor, and I was able to assist a few people with their exercises. I concluded the day by attending Ramona’s lecture on cardiac medications and their various complications; I found it to be quite intriguing.
Day Hours 3.5
RUNNING TOTAL HOURS 49.0


3/1 Wednesday
While Patty worked with a new patient, I took some time to work on my upcoming bulletin board project. My theme will focus on exercise and cancer, specifically prostate cancer, as the board is located in the men’s locker room. For this particular project, I want to focus on specific exercise programs that may be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of the disease. In my research, I have found that it is difficult for studies to show exercise as a preventative measure, but there are certainly benefits to its use in treatment plans. In the coming days, I will put that board together. After spending some time with this, I joined the staff for our weekly Rounds with cardiac patients; among the new patients this day was a 34 year-old man who suffers from pulmonary hypertension and a variety of other ailments. It can be terrifying at times to see the incredibly young age at which these types of problems can occur. I again took my station to check people in by taking blood pressures and heart rates, and this time I was able to set one patient up with his telemetry monitoring device. During the exercise session, I was assigned to three patients (although one did not show), and I carefully watched them to ensure that they were okay. I finished this very busy day by attending a lecture by Judy, who is a registered dietician, on dietary recommendations for cardiac patients. We all can certainly learn to exhibit better eating habits.
Day Hours 4.5
RUNNING TOTAL HOURS 53.5