Queensland Academy for Health Sciences (QAHS) is proud to recognise Lakshmi Purushothaman, the third and final member of this year's pioneering group of students participating in the Gold Coast Health school-based traineeship program. Over the past six months, Lakshmi has gained valuable hands-on experience as part of the Occupational Therapy (OT) team at Robina Hospital, building her clinical knowledge and gaining a deeper understanding of patient care.
"In my own words, I would define Occupational Therapy as a checkpoint for patients post-surgery," Lakshmi explained. "Most of my work involves rehabilitation of the limbs and ensuring patients are well enough to manage at home independently following their discharge."
Throughout her traineeship, Lakshmi has worked closely with patients and collaborated with a range of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, speech pathologists and physiotherapists. "Working in a hospital really opens your eyes to all the different health departments that coalesce in the delivery of patient care," she reflected. "I see the complexity and multifaceted nature of medical diagnoses reflected in the branched yet interconnected hospital task force."
One of Lakshmi's most memorable experiences involved conducting therapy with a patient in the intensive care unit (ICU), where a language barrier added further challenges. "It was interesting to see the OTs problem-solve and come up with creative solutions to administer therapy," she recalled.
She also described working with patients experiencing visual, hearing or cognitive impairments as both challenging and rewarding. "It's made me understand that therapy is tailored to each patient, and that there is hardly ever a 'one-size-fits-all' approach to medical treatment."
Beyond the clinical skills, the traineeship has helped Lakshmi develop professional communication strategies, confidence with medical terminology and a greater understanding of infection control. "I'm now more confident with using and interpreting medical terminology and communicating independently to patients and health professionals about their well-being and care."
Lakshmi has also gained important insights into balancing the demands of school, work and personal well-being. "I've understood that this experience has come at the cost of missing school. In order not to overwhelm myself, I separate work, school and extracurricular activities as much as possible, and I use my commute to slow down, recharge and plan for my next activity," she shared. "Having these clear boundaries stops my mind from travelling at 100 kilometres per hour, and participating in extracurriculars I enjoy serves as my relaxation after a long day at school or work."
"Ultimately, this traineeship has been an assurance that I'm taking a step in the right direction towards my goals. The practical experience I've received has been invaluable in supporting my aspiration to pursue a career in health and medicine."
The QAHS community congratulates Lakshmi on her outstanding dedication and achievements and extends sincere thanks to Gold Coast Health for providing such a rewarding and impactful opportunity for students. New applications will open for students in June 2025.
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