Loma Linda University School of Allied Health
News
May 4, 2000
- SAHP graduate student presents research update during American Physical Therapy Association annual meeting
- Administrators from LLU and Humanitec Rehabilitation College, Japan, sign agreement
- Allied Health students participate in 12th annual National Youth Service Day
- Completion ceremonies held for graduates of LLU respiratory therapy program in Saudi Arabia
- LLU professors assist Adventist Church in health evangelism efforts in Slovakia
SAHP graduate student presents research update during American Physical Therapy Association annual meeting
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Edsen Donato, MPT, OCS |
Imagine spraining an ankle or experiencing an unexplained shoulder pain -- and making an appointment directly with a physical therapist who immediately evaluates you.
The physical therapist then treats you or refers you to the best health-care provider to help you. This may include a physician, podiatrist, dentist, or clinical psychologist, among others.
In medical terms, this can be explained as a physical therapist providing direct access primary care (independently making clinical judgments as to care and treatment options, as well as making independent medical referrals).
It is the area that physical therapy doctoral students Edsen Donato, MPT, OCS, of LLU, and Robert DuVall, MMSc, PT, OCS, MTC, CSCS, of the University of St. Augustine, St. Augustine, Florida, are doing their study in as partial fulfillment of requirements for their doctoral degrees.
Mr. Donato currently works for Kaiser Permanente in Fontana, while Mr. DuVall is a physical therapist who practices primary care physical therapy at Sports Medicine of Atlanta, Georgia, which he owns.
Their collaborative research project, "Practice Analysis Survey: Defining the Clinical Practice of a Physical Therapist in the Primary Care Setting," is now in its fourth year and has drawn so much attention that they presented an update of their research project to the annual combined sections meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) in New Orleans on February 2, 2000.
The study is awaiting funding from the orthopaedic practice section of the APTA, and from the California Physical Therapy Fund, Inc., pending approval of their grant proposals.
According to Mr. Donato, 33 states currently allow full direct access (evaluation and treatment without a referral from a physician) to physical therapist practitioners, and 14 additional states allow partial access (evaluation only).
"It is the goal of the APTA," he says, "for direct access to be allowed in all 50 states."
The scope of responsibility for providing primary care is immense because when a patient experiences unexplained pain or discomfort, it could be caused by anything from a simple muscle strain to cancer.
That is why research of physical therapists practicing in the primary care setting is so important in the physical therapy profession, particularly when practicing in a direct access setting.
The results of the study will, in Mr. Donato's words, "define this unique physical therapy practice area. It will provide the answer to the question, 'Is there a unique core body of knowledge or clinical competencies that is necessary for a physical therapist to practice safely in the primary care setting, and, if so, what would those competencies be?' The essence of the study is that it will define what primary care physical therapy is."
The results of their study could then be implemented into a uniform standardization of knowledge used in curriculum development nationwide in each school that offers physical therapy training.
The information gained may also be used to help form the framework for testing that may lead to certification, as well as developing a residency program in primary care before certification would be awarded.
There is an adequate amount of data to draw from. According to Mr. Donato, the U.S. Army Medical Specialists Corps began allowing direct access to PT services (including allowing PTs to order plain film radiographs, bone scans, and MRIs; prescribe approved pharmacologic medications; order work restrictions; and refer patients to all medical specialty clinics) among its own personnel in the early 1970s after a number of physical therapists became certified as primary care providers (physician-extenders).
Prepaid health-care providers such as the Kaiser Permanente Medical System of Northern California have a primary care physical therapy residency program that train physical therapy practitioners in the area of primary care.
There are also a reported number of physical therapists throughout the country who practice in the primary care arena. Many of these individuals (both military and civilian) have already been identified and have expressed their interest in participating in the study.
"One of the problems we are facing," he emphasizes, "is that many of the direct access physical therapy services are not currently reimbursed by third party payers."
This opens way for more study -- answering the question, "Will primary care PTs provide more efficient and cost-effective quality health care in our present and future health-care delivery system with regard to neuromusculoskeletal/medical screening and the delivery of physical therapy services?"
Mr. Donato and Mr. DuVall's study is fully endorsed by Joseph Godges, MPT, OCS, assistant professor in the physical therapy program at LLU. He first paired the two together in 1997 after learning that they were moving toward the same goal.
Mr. Donato's research committee includes Mr. Godges; Timothy W. Flynn, PhD, PT, OCS, FAAOMPT, assistant professor at the U.S. Army Baylor graduate physical therapy program, Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Sharon P. Anderson, DrPH, PT, associate professor, School of Allied Health Professions; and Grenith Zimmerman, PhD, associate dean for research, SAHP. Mr. DuVall also has his own research committee at the University of St. Augustine.
The co-investigators are hoping for an August/September, 2000 completion date. When the study is complete, Mr. Donato and Mr. DuVall are planning to submit the results to peer-reviewed physical therapy professional journal(s) for publication.
Administrators from LLU and Humanitec Rehabilitation College, Japan, sign agreement
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Administrators and faculty from Humanitec Rehabilitation College, Yokkaichi City, Japan, and the LLU School of Allied Health Professions gather to sign an agreement allowing occupational and physical therapy students on the Japanese campus to receive health-science degrees from LLU. Pictured, standing are (from left): Akira Tsushima, PT, HRC; Hiromi Niwa; Edd Ashley, EdD, chair, department of physical therapy*; W. William Hughes, PhD, professor, physical therapy*; Keiko Khoo, MS, chair, speech-language pathology and audiology*; and Liane Hewitt, MPH, chair, occupational therapy department*. Those seated are (from left) Yuji Asai, PT, instructor, HRC; Junichi Nomura, MD, chair, HRC; Joyce Hopp, PhD, MPH, dean, SAHP*; and Lisa M. Beardsley, PhD, MPH, vice president for academic affairs, LLU* (names with asterisks are from LLU). |
Representatives from Humanitec Rehabilitation College (HRC), Yokkaichi City, Japan, visited the Loma Linda campus March 28 to 30. They were here to sign an agreement that will enable occupational and physical therapy students from HRC to receive degrees in health science from Loma Linda University.
Japanese administrators estimate that 25 students per year will be enrolled in the program, with portions of the coursework offered by LLU faculty on site in Japan, some requirements offered via interactive video technology and Web-based coursework, and the remainder presented on the Loma Linda campus. Students from HRC will be required to attend courses on the LLU campus for one quarter of their program.
When the request to establish the affiliation was received by LLU, Joyce W. Hopp, PhD, MPH, dean, School of Allied Health Professions, asked Keiko Khoo, MS, associate professor, speech-language pathology and audiology, to see what would be needed in order for the project to become a reality, and to draw up a proposal.
This included evaluating the curriculum offered by HRC and drafting a curriculum which would require students on the HRC campus to meet the same academic requirements as students on the LLU campus.
According to Ms. Khoo, this included adding several general education courses -- including freshman English, religion, and anthropology.
According to Dr. Hopp and Ms. Khoo, the need for occupational and physical therapists in Japan is increasing, especially in view of the increasing population of older individuals.
"In Japan," points out Ms. Khoo, "there is a shrinking population of high school and college-aged students. HRC is competing for students, and administrators of the institution feel that offering a degree from an American institution is a great incentive to attract students into these much-needed health-care programs."
"This program is propitious," informs Dr. Hopp, "as it offers the opportunity for Adventist students in Japan to secure specialized professional training."
The Seventh-day Adventist Church operates several elementary and high schools in Japan, but thus far does not offer coursework leading to degrees in occupational or physical therapy. This has made it a challenge for Adventist students to complete programs in these specialties.
"As part of the new agreement," says Ms. Khoo, "coursework and tests will not be offered or required during the Sabbath."
"Our American students will also benefit from the affiliation," continues Ms. Khoo, who notes that students will experience and benefit from the strengths and advances in the professions made by clinicians on both continents.
"For instance," she says, "our professors are interested in the gait program that is taught at HRC."
Allied Health students participate in 12th annual National Youth Service Day
On Friday, April 14, students from the School of Allied Health Professions joined more than 3 million volunteers across the country, taking part in the 12th annual National Youth Service Day.
The LLU students spent the morning volunteering in LLUMC Adult Day Services, Adventist Community Team Services (ACTS); Ronald McDonald House; and Redlands Day Nursery.
Karen Pogue, house manager of Ronald McDonald House, was thrilled with the enthusiasm of the allied health students as they scrubbed mini blinds, cleaned living areas, and organized the play room.
Christine Cassidy, director of ACTS, commented that she appreciated the students who helped prepare lunches for elderly in the community. Earlier in the week, students helped feed the homeless in San Bernardino.
Volunteers also organized an art project and participated in pet therapy at the Adult Day Services.
According to Cindy Malinowski, MA, director of evaluation, portfolio department, SAHP, the students were able to use the time they volunteered to fulfill a requirement of community service that SAHP students must complete before graduation.
"Documentation of their participation will become a permanent part of the portfolio each student is compiling," she says. "This is an important part of the School's commitment to service learning, and students comment that their lives are enriched and changed through giving and becoming involved in events such as this."
Nancy Farrell, a doctoral student in the Graduate School, and a graduate assistant in the portfolio department, helped organize LLU's participation in the National Youth Service Day.
"We have had such a positive response from students," she says, "that plans for the School to participate in the event next year on a larger scale are already under way."
Nationally, the event was organized by Youth Service America, an organization located in Washington, D.C.
According to event organizers, the purpose of National Youth Service Day is threefold: to recognize year-round service of millions of young people, recruit a new generation of citizens that are participants and supporters of youth service organizations, and promote young people as resources to their communities.
Corporate sponsors of the event include Abbott Laboratories; America Online; American General Financial Group; AT&T Corp., Ben & Jerry's Homemade; Best Buy Co.; Compaq Computer Corporation; DaimlerChrysler Corp; Fannie Mae Foundation; JC Penney Co.; Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation; MTV; Music Television; the NBA; Nike; Novartis Corporation; Sara Lee Corporation; Sears, Roe buck and Co.; The Home Depot; Yahoo!; and PARADE magazine.
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Dr. Hopp (left), who was instrumental in involving the School in National Youth Service Day, was invited to LLUMC Adult Day Services, one of the sites where the students volunteered. The dean took part in an art project for Adult Day Services participants organized by the students. Here Dr. Hopp poses with Michelyne Fabrizi, an Adult Day Services participant. |
While volunteering at LLUMC Adult Day Services, Betti Bower (holding her dog, Holly), demonstrates pet therapy with LLUMC Adult Day Services participants. SAHP physical therapy student Ann Francis looks on. | ||
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LLU Adult Day Services was one of several sites where SAHP students volunteered on National Youth Service Day. Pictured, from left, are Andrew Lee, a health information management student; Bette Husted, secretary, SAHP portfolio department; Joyce W. Hopp, PhD, MPH, dean, SAHP; Nancy Farrell, graduate assistant, portfolio department; and Ann Francis, a master's in physical therapy (MPT) student. |
One task given to SAHP students who volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House in Loma Linda was to clean and organize toys in the playroom. Pictured, from left, are Kris tine Camato, health information administration; Vanessa Pulido, medical technology; and Stephanie Dickie, medical technology. |
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