Our first of two summer semesters have been good for some and better for others. This last month has been full of the usual projects, assignments, tests, and skills checks. For example, Semester 3 (this semester) is when we begin “tutorials,” which involve being put into a random group of 6-7 students with a faculty facilitator and we meet every Friday morning and discuss a case scenario. At the end of each session, we create objectives to research for the next week. You get the idea. Needless to say, we have all become very intimate with internet “search engines” to find current research articles to bring to these sessions. We’re going to be “Evidence Based Practitioners” whether we like it or not!
A few weeks ago, each group presented a 10 minute presentation on a specific aspect of APTA-related material. Our group shared about the different sections and specialties in the field of PT. All groups were creative (which, in fact, is part of the grading scale . . . they call it “Establishing Set”) in one way or another, from cheerleading with “spirit fingers” to marching in the room with a flute player. Checking out our snap-shot, can you guess what section each of us represented? It was lots of fun.
Our Group poses after our presentation, each of us representing an APTA section
This semester has been full of LABS, LABS, LABS. Don’t get me wrong, I love not being in the classroom all day and actually applying more and more information to a person. We just had our practical exam yesterday in Musculoskeletal Management I, which focused JUST on the ankle and knee. We all had a patient case, a patient (affiliate faculty volunteer), and we were asked plenty of questions about what we’d do, why we’d do it, when we’d do it, how long we’d do it, our SSN, things of that nature. If I was ever in an interrogation camp, I think I’d be able to handle the questioning. I just hope there isn’t a grade attached to it. Then I’d be nervous.
Another major lab was from Kinesiology II. It entailed pretty much a little bit of everything. From the picture, I tried to get a little bit of our whole class: this day, we learned and then taught the correct patterns for tennis serves, pitching, and a golf swing. Not your typical Physical Therapy, but this class is focused all on movement and movement patterns. Don’t even ask me to analyze your walking gait!
Class members teach how to throw a ball and swing a golf club. To the far left (out of the picture), others are performing a tennis swing.
It’s crazy to think our first year is almost over. It’s even crazier to think we’ll be in a real clinic in a few weeks, actually applying what we’ve learned. No more using your classmate as a patient; no more pretending you’re a patient with pain in your right calf that your friend is “trying” to treat. I think we’re all excited, nervous, and at this exact moment, I realize that I need to pass my tests before I can even think about entering a hospital door. Wish me luck.
Regis University Doctor of Physical Therapy Blog 