Frustrations

I'd like to have a little vent about the general frustrations we as students encounter while on prac. In the last week I have been constantly reminded that we really are at the very BOTTOM of the pecking order on the ward. As our caseload has peaked in our final week, I have found it a constant challenge to get hold of patient notes to read the latest update, let alone to write in them once I've actually seen the patient! It seems such a waste of time wandering aimlessly trying to locate notes which don't seem to be anywhere, yet of course it is necessary to do this before seeing a patient to ensure there are no safety concerns etc which might impact what you do in your treatment session. When finally finding the precious papers, they are nearly always taken off you for one reason or another by any other health professional! I know we are students and they are paid employees but if we are the only physiotherapy intervention the patient is having then surely we have just as much right to the notes as a Speech or Occupational Therapist? This issue makes time management impossible!