Students in PT 8311: Foundations of Examination taught by Dr. Rebecca Pinkus partner with organizations like the Foggy Bottom West End Village to conduct community mobility screenings for older adults.
In this course, Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students participate in community mobility screenings in partnership with the Foggy Bottom West End Village, an aging-in-place community organization. Students apply their classroom learning to conduct various assessments for older adults, including tests for fall risk, cardiovascular endurance, balance, frailty, and other aspects of health crucial for healthy aging.
This community engagement project provides an invaluable opportunity for DPT students to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application, while simultaneously contributing to the health and well-being of the Foggy Bottom community. The experience not only enhances students' clinical skills but also developed their communication abilities and reinforced the importance of community health initiatives in physical therapy practice.
The screenings serve multiple purposes:
1. Providing valuable health information to community members
2. Offering students hands-on experience with patient interaction and assessment
3. Contributing to community health awareness and fall prevention efforts
Students work in small teams to administer tests and measures, interpret results, and communicate findings to participants in lay terms. This experience allowed them to practice skills such as taking blood pressure, measuring heart rate, using goniometry, and conducting standardized mobility tests like the Timed Up and Go (TUG).
For information about Community Engaged Scholarship at GW: https://go.gwu.edu/cesc
Semester Reports
Spring, 2024
Students Reporting: 9
Time Reported: 30 hours
Student Comments:
"This was my first time interacting with patients and made me become a little bit more comfortable interacting. As well as learning that I tend to over-explain and I can definitely simplify instructions."
"I learned how to adjust testing to each individual participant and how to use soft skills during an assessment."
"I gained a lot of hands-on skills where I was able to explain certain exams in lay terms. I was also able to practice my blood pressure, heart rate, goniometry, and other skills."
"I learned how much I still want to learn--more aspects of the why behind certain tests, and I hope to learn to better interpret changes in the tests over the course of years for an individual. I was grateful to have the chance to apply what I learned and get to be with people who were curious about the information I could share."
"I got to meet and learn from members of the community and test my newer skills on real patients."
"I learned not to underestimate an individual based on their age. Additionally, it was the first experience we got to actually work with patients."
