RehabCare

iOrtho, Another App for Therapists

It seems like every week I am finding new and exciting iPhone apps that I want to download. For instance, yesterday I downloaded an app that helps you find the lowest price for a product. All you have to do is scan the product's bar code and it does the pricing research for you! After I downloaded it I thought to myself, "Why didn't I think of that?" There are so many opportunities to create an app; you just have to be a little creative and resourceful!

Dawn Gulick and Christopher Wise, two PT Professors from Widener University, were just that as they developed an app for rehabilitation professionals, educators, clinicians and students. Using their vast knowledge of therapy they created iOrtho, an app that serves as a resource for orthopedic special tests and mobilization techniques. The app features 85 orthopedic special tests, each of which includes a purpose, technique, interpretation, statistics and hi-res illustrative photos. iOrtho also offers 88 mobilization techniques, each of which includes indications, contacts, technique and hi-res illustrative photos. It's an app worth checking out if you are in the PT profession.

OT and SLP students, we didn't forget about you. Check out Spot on Chicago's post which lists some great iPhone apps for OT and SLP, as well as our previous post which references other therapy related apps. Technology is definitely changing the way with look at education and therapy!

Triathlete, Ironman, Physical Therapist....Aaron Scheidies

I want to take this opportunity to introduce you to Aaron Scheidies. A recent graduate of the University of Washington and a physical therapist at RehabCare's Anderson House facility in Shoreline, WA.  Aaron is a world class triathlete.  He's competed as an Ironman. He has raced more than 70 times.  Sound impressive?  Here's the kicker...Aaron is legally blind.

As a triathlete he competes with a tethered guide and on a tandem bike.  He uses the sound of other swimmers to make sure that he stays on course. The video below was shot by a Seattle news station in 2007.  In 2005, Aaron teamed up with four other blind individuals and their athlete guides through the C-Different Foundation and traveled to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. There, they conquered the world's most grueling triathlon event: the Ironman, which consists of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and a 26.2 mile run. Aaron, along with the rest of the C-Different athletes, became the first blind athletes to complete the Ironman. 

Take some time to check out Aaron's website.  You can find it here. We've also linked to Aaron's blog in the "Websites We Like" section to the left.  We hope to continue to follow Aaron as he races.  Check back from time to time for updates.

 

Interested In Being A Mentor?

There’s no doubt that acquiring a PT or PTA degree can be a challenging experience. If you’ve learned from the challenges that you’ve faced, consider sharing your experiences with your fellow students as a mentor.

University of Kentucky Students Making a Difference

After writing Therapy Students in Florida Stepping Up To The Plate, it was brought to my attention that there are other therapy programs throughout the US where students are helping out the under-served and under-insured. 

Another such program, University of Kentucky Salvation Army Clinic (UKSAC), is run by students at the University of Kentucky. 

Therapy Students in Florida Stepping Up To The Plate

It is safe to say that many U.S. citizens are without health insurance or are under-insured.  Here is an inspiring example of therapy students stepping up and helping out those in need.   At the University of South Florida students are reaching out to the under-insured through BRIDGE, a free student-run healthcare clinic. 

"Our mission is to provide free physical therapy services and education to the under-insured population of the University Area Community by creating an environment of collaboration, competent care, and patient-centered service."

Check out the BRIDGE-healthcare clinic in Florida.  Learn more about their mission and read an article highlighting the Physical Therapy component at BRIDGE.  This type of clinic is a great idea, benefiting both students and the community.  Do you have something similar in your area?

Resource for NBCOT Exams

If you are getting ready for the NBCOT Board Exam check out OT-Advantage.com.  They have dedicated a blog line for students to post helpful comments and pose questions to others preparing for the board.  Just another source to aid you in your preparation.  Good luck!

Need Another Thing To Read?

I remember my college years and the last thing I wanted to do after a day of classes and studying was read another book.  So, I know I am not going to get a great reaction when I say I have a book for all you Physical Therapy students that you might find useful.   Physical Therapy Professional Foundations: Keys to Success in School and Career    "is a comprehensive new text that provides an in-depth guide for physical therapy students from the start of their education to clinical practice" and "is a valuable resource for new graduate physical therapists as they prepare for and begin their careers".

If you can keep your eyes open after you have come home from your classes, clinical or lab, you might want to pick up this little bit of reading material.  After all, it can't be as bad as your textbooks, it is described as "simple and straightforward".  Plus, you might find it to be a great resource in addition to your studies.

A Day In The Life....

As a student, your days are filled with lectures, labs, test, and much, much more.  But what will your days be filled with once you have completed your degree and have your license in hand? 

Providing Hope

I love when I come upon articles that highlight exceptional therapists like the one published a while back by The New York Times.    In The Trenches: The Occupational Therapist Coaching the Comeback is a great article that provides a glimpse into the daily life of Jodi Levin, an Occupational Therapist at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in New Jersey.

Taking Care of Ourselves

School is back in session and classes and labs are well underway. Whether you had basic skills class including transfers and gait last semester or are currently enrolled, I am sure you have already heard the importance of proper body mechanics multiple times. Well, here it is again. While I may sound like a broken record, I believe this is one of the most important things to remember as a therapist day in and day out. Throughout my practicing years, I have seen more therapists with back injuries due to the job than anything else.  Alexandria Kalnitsky, M.A, Physical Therapist could not have described it better in her article Body Mechanics 101

The goal of body mechanics is to learn how to move the body so as to prevent further injury to the spine. Awareness of common mistakes and proper principles can only help to achieve this goal. One such principle concerns posture.

I know we all get tired of hearing about it and sometimes proper body mechanics doesn't always seem like the easiest way to do something, but in the end it is. While our goal as physical therapists is to help others achieve goals and prevent further injury, we need to do the same for ourselves.