Disclaimer: Because I am interested in outpatient ortho, the examples I give here will be related to this interest. Keep in mind however, that what I talk about applies to all settings.
1. Does the site use evidence-based practice?
The term evidence-based practice seems to get thrown around casually a lot in our profession. Everyone seems to talk about it and agree that its great and the right thing to do, but how many clinics and clinicians actually practice it. A good clinician is constantly reading and seeking the current evidence on new techniques. When sufficient evidence is available, a good clinician will act on that evidence, whether that means implementing a new technique or discontinuing techniques that have been proven ineffective. Find out from potential clinical sites if evidence-based practice is not only talked about, but implemented constantly in the clinic.
2. Does the site encourage clinicians to further their education?
Continuing education, board certified specialist, fellows are ways that clinicians can continue to learn. Look for sites that encourages clinician to further their knowledge. An easy way to tell this is look at those working at the clinic and look for their credentials. Board certified specialist will have one of about eight possible options including OCS, SCS, GCS, ECS, etc. This means that they have completed the board exam for that specialty either by completing a residency program or had enough clinical experience to sit for that same exam without doing a residency. Fellows are a step above certified specialists. A fellow will have something like FAAOMPT after their name. Fellow have been trained even more specifically in a specialty area such as manual therapy. Find a site that has board certified specialist and/or fellows. These will be the best CIs that will constantly challenge you to think and will teach you more in one internship than you could learn in a year of PT school.
1. Does the site use evidence-based practice?
The term evidence-based practice seems to get thrown around casually a lot in our profession. Everyone seems to talk about it and agree that its great and the right thing to do, but how many clinics and clinicians actually practice it. A good clinician is constantly reading and seeking the current evidence on new techniques. When sufficient evidence is available, a good clinician will act on that evidence, whether that means implementing a new technique or discontinuing techniques that have been proven ineffective. Find out from potential clinical sites if evidence-based practice is not only talked about, but implemented constantly in the clinic.
2. Does the site encourage clinicians to further their education?
Continuing education, board certified specialist, fellows are ways that clinicians can continue to learn. Look for sites that encourages clinician to further their knowledge. An easy way to tell this is look at those working at the clinic and look for their credentials. Board certified specialist will have one of about eight possible options including OCS, SCS, GCS, ECS, etc. This means that they have completed the board exam for that specialty either by completing a residency program or had enough clinical experience to sit for that same exam without doing a residency. Fellows are a step above certified specialists. A fellow will have something like FAAOMPT after their name. Fellow have been trained even more specifically in a specialty area such as manual therapy. Find a site that has board certified specialist and/or fellows. These will be the best CIs that will constantly challenge you to think and will teach you more in one internship than you could learn in a year of PT school.