Physical therapy ‘absolutely vital’ to some COVID patients, healthcare worker discovers
Tamika Love, a graduate of Jackson State University and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, is a doctor of physical therapy at Baptist Hospital in Tennessee.
When you were a student at Jackson State University, did you know you wanted to go into healthcare and the field you’d go into?
Yes. I have always wanted to be in healthcare since I was in elementary school. I did not think I would be in physical therapy. I really was not exposed to the world of physical therapy until I was a student at Jackson State University and had the opportunity to be a student athletic trainer. During that time, I was able to work alongside amazing certified athletic trainers, physical therapists and physicians.
What attracted you to the field of physical therapy?
The ability to see the progress a patient or athlete makes from beginning to end. I love how hands on we can be with our patients. And to know that I play a major part in returning patients back to the life they love or helping them live a life they did not think they could, is an awesome feeling.
Did anything prepare you for dealing with COVID-19 patients?
Professionally? No. But I guess my willingness to try anything once, and my promise to always keep my patients’ wellbeing my priority, helped me face such uncertain territory.
Where do work and what was your typical work routine prior to the pandemic?
I work for Baptist Hospital in Tennessee. My typical work routine pre-COVID included me getting to work, doing chart reviews in the morning, seeing patients throughout the day and writing patient notes in between.
How has your routine changed?
The biggest change has been the putting on and taking off the protective equipment (PPE) before each patient. I wear a mask, shield, respirator, gown and gloves for each patient. And all equipment must be cleaned and sanitized before seeing my next patient. It definitely takes more time to see the same number of patients I could typically see pre-COVID.
Tamika Love is a physical therapist with degrees from Jackson State University and Texas Health Sciences Center. On the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic at Baptist Hospital in Tennessee, Love wears a mask, shield, respirator, gown and gloves with each patient she sees, sanitizing her protection equipment after each patient.
How do You deal with concerns for your personal safety?
I pray about it and make sure I do my part. I constantly wash my hands, I make sure I use recommended sanitizing techniques for my equipment, and I wear the appropriate PPE. I honestly feel safe treating my COVID patients because I know I have taken all appropriate steps to keep myself and my patients safe.
How do You deal with the stress of working with COVID-19 patients, especially knowing some won’t make it?
I take quite a few “mental breaks”. I used to be very big on working through lunch or eating while I document. Now I take full advantage of my breaks and completely disconnect. I eat outside, instead of the cafeteria, or I go for a walk on my break and most importantly I try to leave work at work.
Has anything about this pandemic made you question your career choice?
Yes, but in a good way. It made me want to learn more about it and get involved in research. I never could have imagined that as a physical therapist I would be faced with a global pandemic, much less be required/needed to play an integral role in the care of these patients. I will be honest, when this all first happened, I thought physical therapy was the last thing these patients needed to worry about. But as I became more involved and saw first-hand how this virus was physically debilitating people and changing their lives and the lives of their loved ones in a matter of days, I quickly changed my outlook and realized how physical therapy was absolutely vital in some cases.
If there is one thing you could tell the public about what you are going through and what they should do, what would it be?
Wash your hands, keep your hands out of your face and wear your mask. I know the mask is uncomfortable but it is the best way to keep you and those around you safe.
From the Frontlines is an ongoing series from the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting which interviews health care professionals on the frontlines of the pandemic.
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