Dr. Reisch and Dr. Corvus Publish Article in GeriNotes

Physical Therapy core faculty member Dr. Rebecca Reisch and adjunct faculty member Dr. Talina Corvus recently published an article in GeriNotes, the quarterly member magazine for the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy.  Their article, “Development of an International Geriatric-focused Clinical Experience,” was published as a report from the Global Health for Aging Adults SIG and discusses a partnership between a local not-for-profit organization, the Jessie F. Richardson Foundation, and Pacific University.  Drs. Reisch and Corvus have several years of experience with service learning programs in Nicaragua.  

The article describes program development and implementation for an innovative international and domestic clinical education experience that started in Jinotepe, Nicaragua and concluded in Hillsboro, Oregon.  In preparation for this experience, one of our physical therapy students first completed a one-week language-training program.  A team, consisting of the student and a clinical instructor (Dr. Reisch), traveled to Jinotepe.  The clinical education experience included an orientation to the region, meetings with administrators, and meetings with local physical therapists.  The team provided physical therapy to residents at an eldercare home over the next three weeks. Over time, the student gradually assumed more responsibility for patient care and started to lead group activities.   The team also worked together to modify assistive devices such as walkers and wheelchairs.  At the end of each day, the team debriefed about their experience, planned for the following day, and completed their documentation in Spanish.  After three weeks in Nicaragua, our physical therapy student completed another three weeks of clinical education experience at a local skilled nursing facility in Hillsboro.  At the end of the domestic experience, the student presented on his experience to clinicians and administrators from the skilled nursing facility, a representative from the Jessie F. Richardson Foundation, and physical therapy faculty from Pacific University.  

Outcomes of this experience included 1) determining the viability and feasibility of this innovative clinical education experience, 2) creating recommendations for future clinical education opportunities, and 3) providing clinical services to residents by collaborating with local therapists, administrators, and caregivers.  Their collaborative work helped to build the communities’ capacity to make their own healthcare decisions in a sustainable manner.  

Reference: 
Reisch R. & Corvus T.  Development of an International Geriatric-focused Clinical Experience. GeriNotes, 2018:25(4): 19-21.

Dr. Timothy Valenti (class of 2016) and Dr. Rebecca Reisch in Jinotepe, Nicaragua.