Placement top tips part 2

Published: 03/02/2021

These are my top tips for placement preparation which I have not mentioned in part 1.

Think of your educator as your friend.

This may sound odd, but this mindset (or imagining they are a teacher) helps you to make the most of learning opportunities. 

Get stuck in

As Jack mentioned in the respiratory preparation post. This is the best way to learn and develop your skills. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, this is when you will learn the most

Make mistakes and learn from them. 

We are all humans and therefore make mistakes. The best way to respond to those mistakes is to be open and honest, then reflection how you can avoid that mistake next time. Talking to peers or other team members can be really helpful with this too.

Showcase your learning.

Any CPD (reflections or extra reading) are great things to show during your supervision session and are a great way to show your enthusiastic and interested. 

Be honest when you can’t remember something.

This is key, your educator can tell when you have no idea. So there is no point in pretending, instead ask for clarification or to be talked through what you have forgotten. (I have asked about the same medical terminology 3 times before and the team didn’t mind at all). All educators would prefer you to own up to your lack of knowledge rather than create a mess they have to sort out later.

Check out the CSP Frontline magazine article: https://www.csp.org.uk/frontline/article/making-most-your-placement

Create SMART goals for each day

This will help to focus your intentions for the day. I find this useful really useful to help me develop certain aspects of my practice each day and reflect on my practice. 

Make notes about patients seen to review their conditions or management at a later date

I use a specific format to make my notes (shown below)

• Problem: ...
• X-ray or investigations: ...
• Main complaint (if reviewing): ...
• Relevant medical history: ...
• Session notes (Treatment, observations made etc): ...

These will be useful to consolidate your learning and direct your study on the evening (e.g. why do we splint for a trapeziectomy etc).

Do you have any more useful tips. Please leave them in the comments section below.