Generic Abilities Essay

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Vicki Kuhn Generic Abilities Assignment August 21, 2013 Generic abilities are extremely important for physical therapy students. One reason why generic abilities are important in physical therapy is because they work with other people. Physical therapists interact with patients, doctors and other medical professionals constantly. In order for them to work effectively with these people, they need to have good communication and interpersonal skills. Another reason generic abilities are important is because physical therapists have to diagnose and come up with treatment plans. If a person isn’t good at problem solving or critical thinking then they will have a lot of trouble diagnosing patients. Generic abilities are also important because physical therapists always have to be up to date on the newest and most effective treatments. They need to continue to be committed to learning throughout their career. During my observations it was very clear that effective communication and good interpersonal skills was very important not only between physical therapists and other physical therapists but between physical therapists and their patients. They rely on their patients to figure out the best treatment plans. One patient came into the sports rehab clinic that I observed and wasn’t improving at all so the physical therapist asked him multiple questions that would help her to figure out that the original diagnosis wasn’t correct. If she didn’t know what questions to ask the patient or how to word her questions the patient would have continued to have pain and to not improve. It’s important for there to be clear communication between the physical therapist and the patients so that they use the most effective treatment
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