ATSU physical therapy students participate in IPE program
Posted: December 16, 2013
ATSU doctor of physical therapy (DPT) students and faculty have launched an interprofessional collaboration program with physical therapist assistant (PTA) students from Carrington College in Mesa, Ariz. Twenty-three Carrington PTA students and 62 first-year DPT students participated in the two-hour collaborative program on Dec. 12, from 3-5 p.m., on the ATSU Mesa campus. The focus of the program was to have DPT and PTA students actively learn about the roles and responsibilities of each professional in the clinical setting.
According to Robyn Wilhelm, PT, DPT, ’09, assistant professor and academic coordinator of clinical education, ATSU physical therapy program, DPT and PTA students were mixed into four large groups so that PTA and DPT students were sitting next to each other, which opened up collaboration immediately. A pre-survey regarding the roles and responsibilities of each profession was given followed by case presentations and discussion. Dr. Wilhelm added that following winter break for all students a survey will be administered to measure retention of the information presented during the program.