PRAC 6645 Assignment: Journal Entry
PRAC 6645 Assignment: Journal Entry
Eleven weeks have gone by so quickly, and during this time, I have learned so much, and also increased in knowledge and confidence. One of my goals was to perform an initial psych evaluation on a client, and I had the opportunity of doing this successfully as the client was extremely gracious and cooperative, and my preceptor always gave positive and constructive feedback that enabled me to determine patient’s chief complaint and likely diagnosis.
On the first day of clinicals, my preceptor gave me a file summarizing questions to ask in an initial psych eval, likely medication choices for different psychiatric illnesses and contra indications, and developing and prioritizing differential diagnosis, all of which also boosted my confidence.
One of my most challenging patient on whom I did a case study was a patient with schizophrenia who was convinced she was pregnant for a man who had actually been deceased for years. I learned a valuable lesson as my preceptor handled this case with professionalism and patience. Patient’s delusions were not dismissed outrightly, but patient was told to take a pregnancy test and bring the result at her next visit.
My second patient was so paranoid and delusional that she was suspicious of everyone including her therapist
PRAC 6645 Assignment Journal Entry
convinced everyone was out to harm her. The legal process had to begin to enable her family make medical and other decisions for her so patient could get appropriate treatment that she needed.
I also had a patient who was very depressed and had gone through some trauma but was reluctant to use pharmacological intervention, insisting she only needed therapy even though it was obvious a combination of therapy and pharmacological intervention would be the best option for her.
In all of these cases, I would not have done anything different as I believe my preceptor handle each case with all the thoughtfulness it deserved, and the resources that would bring about the best outcome for the patient.
From my preceptor, I learned the art of how to manage patient flow and volume. Patients a
PRAC 6645 Assignment Journal Entry
re never scheduled back-to-back as there is at least a 30—45-minute space that enables a seamless flow in which the patients are treated with dignity, respect and in atmosphere that allows for patients to express their thoughts without feeling pressured, and the clinician to evaluate the client and do a thorough assessment.
As I begin my third practicum, I hope to continue to improve in all aspects of learning to become a successful clinician as I believe learning is an ongoing process and we never stop learning and growing. I am grateful for the opportunity I have been given so far in learning to interact with clients in the clinical setting as it will in no small measure, prepare me to become the best I can be.