My final clinical experience brought me full circle, returning to the same acute care setting where I had completed my observation hours. The hospital in Dededo offered a unique blend of inpatient and outpatient opportunities, with a strong emphasis on acute and subacute care. This setting expanded my clinical perspective and deepened my appreciation for the complexity and adaptability required in treating complex patients.
In this rotation, I worked with patients across the lifespan and at varying levels of functional ability. At first glance, there may not be much overlap between acute patients and athletes, but I believe the same principles of progressive overload and specificity in training apply to all populations. Though exercise for ICU patients looks nothing like training for athletes, both benefit from appropriately challenging, safe progressions tailored to their current level and goals.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this experience was the opportunity to work within an interdisciplinary care team. Collaborating with physical therapist assistants, rehab techs, speech-language pathologists, and occupational therapists helped me see the broader picture of patient care. This team-based model was new for me and highlighted how interconnected our roles are. Understanding my scope of practice was essential; it helped guide when to consult, when to co-treat, and how to best contribute to each patient’s overall recovery.
A personal goal for this rotation was to integrate my background in personal training with the evaluation and screening tools I learned during previous rotations. I felt increasingly confident in identifying acute injuries such as meniscal tears or rotator cuff injuries, which guided my choice of functional strengthening and therapeutic exercises. Now I felt more comfortable managing a wide variety of cases and more attuned to the key impairments and needs that patients present with during each session.
This rotation was a powerful reminder that no matter the setting, clear communication, thoughtful progression, and individualized care are always at the heart of effective physical therapy.