Hi everyone! I hope everyone is keeping safe and optimistic in these ever changing times. It feels like years since my last blog post. Let me fill you in with all that has happened between my last blog post to now. We have finally moved into the second semester of the year this means a change of mindset from physical into psychosocial. Fieldwork has started but is a bit different to the usual set up. I have just completed my first block, one out of four, where we precited running groups like never before. Now enough about me today I will be talking about how COVID 19 has affected me as well as discussing the pros and cons which has come along with the pandemic.
What is COVID 19 ?
According to WHO, the COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. It has affected 215 countries around the world (Worldometer, 2020). Read up on more information about COVID 19 on the links below.
How has COVID 19 affected me?
The pandemic has created a new normal and impacted people’s lives on multiple levels. Whether you are a student, worker, cat or dog, the virus does not discriminate. As a third year university student I have experienced both positive and negative effects.
As I mentioned earlier COVID 19 has changed the academic year for us. We now have four blocks providing a wider variety of different learning mediums. The different mediums include telehealth, simulated case studies, contact learning with peers and contact learning with patients. Allowing for different types of exposure and learning experiences to help equip students.
The inclusion of a block purely focused on running groups has changed my views on groupwork. Previously I found running groups very intimidating because you are treating more than one patient. I felt nervous as I did not feel capable of handling more than one patient at a time. The unpredictable reactions of the group members also made me feel unprepared. However, during this block I have gained confidence in running different types of groups. I had the opportunity to be a therapist, co-therapist and a patient. These three roles have provided me with a different perspective on groupwork. For example I was able to consider what I need to change as a therapist from a patients view. I hope to put into practice the valuable insight I have gained. We were also given the opportunity to run different types of groups therefore I was able to put into practice a variety of handling skills. The best part of being part of these groups was the simulated aspect. Students who acted as patients also benefited from recapping the presentation of various conditions we might come across. It also gave the therapists and co-therapists a chance to apply principles of handling, presentation and grading in response to the presentation of patients. I have also learnt the importance of the co-therapists role; the humble side kick who has your back. I was able to observe and implement concepts learnt in groupwork theory. A lot of peer learning has taken place during this block. I saw how my peers handled difficult situations in groups and gaining a new perspective. Working in COVID 19 conditions was initially stressful. The anxiety around contracting the virus and spreading it to vulnerable patients and peers was initially unbearable. However now working under these conditions provided me with the opportunity to get used to the new normal. It has reduced my anxiety, I now feel in control and I am able to fully concentrate on learning. It was also stressful as close contact activities cannot be done in the groupwork setting. I had to critically think about the types of activities done that will be suitable during these times.
The year 2020 has truly been a roller coaster, full of ups and downs. COVID 19 has brought with it good and bad factors. As I was typing this I have come to the realization that it is up to the individual to take a bad situation and turn it into something good. I have been challenged both physically and mentally. With these challenges came new learning experiences. For me COVID 19 has become unexpected treat.
Keep safe everyone! Remember to stop the spread by wearing your mask, washing your hands and practicing social distancing.
References:
1. Coronavirus Update (Live): 41,598,443 Cases and 1,137,968 Deaths from COVID-19 Virus Pandemic – Worldometer. (2020). Retrieved 22 October 2020, from https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?utm_campaign=homeAdUOA?Si
2. Coronavirus. (2020). Retrieved 22 October 2020, from https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_3
Links:
For more information on COVID 19 and for resources check out the links below.
WhatsApp Support Line: 0600-123456
Inside the mind of a 4th year OT student 