On my last placement I was referred a patient from an OT working in the hospital close by to our department. The patient was an athlete and was working towards returning to his sport for a tournament, thus I organised to see him more regularly than my other patients to give him the best chance. The patient also required telehealth conferences to allow specialists in Perth to review the progress of his treatment. Initially the OT sent an email to my supervisor, which I was asked to read, regarding a telehealth conference and told my supervisor that she thought this patient shouldn't be seen by a student but by a qualified physiotherapist, my supervisor disagreed and I continued to treat the patient.
As I proceeded to treat the patient he told me that the OT was upset that my supervisor was trying to limit the time I spent with him and that the OT overall didn't like my supervisor and his patient approach. At the time I highlighted the fact that I wished not to get involved into the politics of the staff and that I wished not to be involved in their dispute. I continued to reinforce the OTs advice and HEP options which were on par with mine and a couple of times tried to find the OT to discuss the patient yet didn't have much success.
I was told by my supervisor that I was being too conservative with the patient, and adjusted as appropriate producing adverse effects. The patient then informed me that the OT was displeased at this and had discussed it with my supervisor. The OT then discussed the issue with me and we agreed on the treatment approach. I discussed this with my supervisor and the situation was resolved. Sometime later I was pulled aside by my supervisor who informed me that he was told by another physiotherapist that I "didn't like" the OT. To which I informed him that I didn't know the OT well enough to come to that decision and that I hadn't said anything of the sort to the patient or any other staff. I also discussed organising a time to talk to the OT to state that they had been misinformed, yet my supervisor thought the situation was best left as it was.
Through interaction with all parties involved, the impression I received was that the OT was displeased with my treatment and that my supervisor and the OT didn't hold each-other in high esteem. I realise this may have made me feel inadequate and slightly intimidated by the OT. Thus as I reflect on the situation I think my views for each member of staff involved and the entire situation may have been portrayed non-verbally or through my verbal expression to the patient. Thus contributing to the feedback that was portrayed back to the OT.
In the future I believe that the OT and I should have taken the time to discuss any issues that arose to a further extent with each other instead of obtaining information through the patient. I think I should have been more vigilant with organising meetings with the OT and firmly told the patient that I have great respect and approval for the work of all members of our AHT. I should also have been more conscious of my non-verbal, to prevent the patient from misinterpreting my point of view. When I was asked to provide feedback for the hospital at my final assessment, I informed my supervisor that multidisciplinary meetings may work well and help to prevent any further incidences between staff, to which they replied it was an issue currently being reviewed.
Has anyone had a similar confrontation with another staff member and come up with good strategies?
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1 comment:
It's one of those situations that you would naturally approach in a different manner if you were a qualified physio. Unfortunately we are faced with the prospect of receiving a non competent grade if we tick off our supervisor so we have to treat these sort of situations delecately. Obviously good communication with all involved is the key.
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