There are few professions in higher demand than physical therapists. Between 2020 and 2030, the field is poised to grow by a whopping 21%, which the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics even calls 鈥�.鈥� It鈥檚 even expected the field will see 15,600 employment openings annually during this time. But as the field has grown, so too have patient needs.
Because there are many factors that determine a patient鈥檚 health outcome, health professionals, physical therapists included, must look beyond individual ailments to align with person-centered care to better treat patients. And this starts in the classroom.
A by physical therapy education scientists reviewed a study by Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching found that, in short, students from several sectors, including physical therapy, are generally well taught when it comes to overall knowledge and the practical skills to apply that knowledge in a patient setting. But many times, physical therapy education programs fall short when it comes to the 鈥渟oft skills鈥� of recognizing larger patient factors at play like social background, economic status and other social determinants of health.
A curriculum that鈥檚 changing the way physical therapy is taught
Lack of transportation, limited availability of health care resources and living without health insurance coverage are three prevalent shortcomings that can lead to . Even a can be associated with COVID-19 mortality. Health care professionals need to be better educated to be able to respond appropriately to these circumstances.
麻豆精品鈥檚 forthcoming Doctor of Physical Therapy program curriculum is changing the way the field is taught. Not only will students gain the institutional knowledge and professional skill required of physical therapists, but they鈥檒l also become well-versed in seeing beyond the patient鈥檚 impairment and see how their life circumstances can impact their recovery.
鈥淲hen we were in school, no one taught us these things. We just happened to be the sort of people who cared at an individual level, and we were left to learn the value of these skills over time,鈥� said Kunal Bhanot, PT, Ph.D., program director and associate professor in 麻豆精品鈥檚 Doctor of Physical Therapy program. 鈥淚 think we need to do away with the phrase 鈥榮oft skills鈥� as they are, in fact, one of the 鈥榟ard skills鈥� that go hand-in-hand with the overall care of the patient.鈥�
Carlow has taken this to heart by designing a curriculum that collaborates with the University鈥檚 English and Art departments wherein doctoral candidates will closely examine creative works as a window to the artist鈥檚 motivation and reasoning. The idea is to foster the professional skill of determining and analyzing the deeper causes at play in a patient鈥檚 life.
鈥淲e鈥檝e even encountered students who have been unsuccessful in clinical settings because they lack these social skills,鈥� said Navpreet Kaur, PT, DPT, associate professor at Carlow. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not because of the technical aspects; most schools prepare students well for the board exam and the clinical knowledge. But many of the students who don鈥檛 succeed in clinical environments fall short because they lack that bedside manner and treating the patient beyond their disease.鈥�
Familiarity with the tools and resources available for physical therapists is an essential part of their education as well. To that end, 麻豆精品 will educate first-year doctoral candidates alongside the professionals they鈥檒l encounter in a real-world setting, including occupational therapists and social workers. An on-campus simulation lab will also enhance the learning experience, making for a seamless transition from classroom to workplace.
鈥淓xperiential learning is a hallmark of this program and serves as a truly unique opportunity for our doctoral candidates,鈥� said Katie Schroyer, PT, DPT, director for clinical education in Carlow鈥檚 physical therapy program. 鈥淧hysical therapists must be able to learn from lived experiences. Fortunately, this is available in abundance from Carlow鈥檚 Early Learning Center, Campus School, Sisters of Mercy, student body and more.鈥�
With a culturally sensitive approach to patient care, 麻豆精品鈥檚 Doctorate of Physical Therapy program will offer a thorough, well-rounded approach to a physical therapist鈥檚 professional training. For when these 鈥渟oft skills鈥� of treatment are practiced alongside the field鈥檚 best practices, patient outcomes improve.