Alpine, Utah; Alpine Fitness & Physical Therapy - Lizzy

The internship at Alpine Fitness & Physical Therapy is an amazing learning opportunity. Nowhere else will you have the same hands-on opportunities that this facility provides. You work very closely with fellow interns and real patients from day one. It is a difficult internship in that it tests you intellectually, physically, and socially. However, it is a very unique opportunity as you are provided with wonderful resources, but then get to take your learning into your own hands and shape your experience into exactly what you want it to be. You can learn how to be physical therapist, or you can learn how to be a personal trainer, or you can do both! The greatest thing I learned was that, "A good physical therapist makes a good personal trainer." It makes so much sense that the two go hand in hand and I'm glad I had this experience to open my eyes to this fact, so that I can be a more successful and more motivating physical therapist some day.

Utah Valley Regional Medical Center Emergency Room--Reaghan

Growing up, I was raised constantly being told that I could do anything. The concept of anything has changed over the years, but I can say one thing for sure. If you’d told me a year ago that I would be spending three hours a week in the Emergency Room, in the thick of things, I would have never believed you. 

This summer, I had the opportunity to shadow Matt Pepper, a clinical pharmacist in the Emergency Room at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, Utah. On a daily basis, he (1) reviews the lab results of patients seen in the Emergency Room, whether they’ve been discharged or admitted, (2) consults with doctors if medication adjustments need to be made based on lab results, (3) follows up with patients about their lab results, (4) manages each patient’s medication records, compiling at-home medications, and medications given within the hospital into one system, (5) assists with trauma cases and sedations, and (6) lends help and advice to doctors and nurses when needed.

Before job shadowing, my perception of a pharmacists came mainly from what I’d seen at drug stores and supermarkets. After doing research and shadowing around the hospital, my view definitely shifted toward the reality. While shadowing, I’ve learned a lot about what the day-to-day life of a pharmacist is like. Pharmacists are actively involved in patient care and are significantly responsible for the medications a patient receives, which has a major effect on the patient’s outcome. Pharmacists are problem solvers—they use their specific expertise to question and evaluate patients’ medication lists and offer suggestions when concerns arise. Pharmacists are an integral part of the healthcare system, although their role may sometimes be overlooked.

The best part of shadowing for me has been reporting on a 'Drug of the Day' each time I shadowed. Every time I go to the hospital, Matt challenges me to report on a specific drug we pick together. Doing this has helped me learn about pharmacy for myself, and then take my questions to him after I have a background on each drug. Through this, I’ve learned a lot of drugs’ names, uses, and side effects tailored to an Emergency Room setting. This experience has assured me of what I didn’t know before: I want to be a pharmacist. And I will be. Job shadowing has been the most influential part of me taking that decision.

Salt Lake City, UT; Veteran's Hospital Physical Therapy - Kirk

           This spring and summer I had the opportunity to be an intern at the Veteran’s Hospital (VA) Outpatient Physical Therapy Clinic in Salt Lake. On a typical day, I’d arrive at the VA at 8am. For the first half hour or so, I’d clean up around the clinic: changing sheets and covers for the treatment tables, putting away equipment, storing clean linens, and wiping down exercise machines. I viewed keeping the clinic clean and organized as my primary role. When I was finished, however, I was able to jump in with the therapists and shadow as they evaluated and treated their patients. This was exciting for me to have hands-on experience watching the therapist at work—something I haven’t had before. Because shadowing was the reward, it was extremely motivating to me to work hard and quickly so that I could soak in as much as possible. Most of the therapists were extremely accommodating and would teach me as they worked. My day alternated frequently between shadowing and cleaning.

          For approximately a year and a half, I’ve worked at a privately owned physical therapy clinic here in Provo. During this time, I’ve become familiar with their model of physical therapy care. Patients typically come in 2-3 times weekly and rely heavily on the therapists for stretching, unlocking and releasing joints, and maintenance. The therapists see each patient for 15-30 minutes. The VA, however, has a very different model. Because of the large number of veterans needing care, the VA is unable to see patients on as frequent of a basis as a private practice. Instead, they spend 30-60 minutes with each patient and only see them every 2-3 weeks. Rather than a heavy emphasis on manual therapy, the therapists spend extra time evaluating the problem and designing a home exercise program for the patient that will address their problems. This has been extremely eye opening to me. This approach focuses on self-reliance and long term care. The responsibility is shifted from the therapist to the patient, putting their health in their control.

     
            Overall, one of the biggest things I’ve learned from my experience this summer is that while all physical therapists have the same schooling, their workplace is what will largely determine how their schooling is used. It has opened my eyes to the various routes therapists can go and makes me want to continue researching different work options. The differences are tremendous and there are benefits to each style of care. I’m excited and grateful for the exposure I’ve had this summer and look forward to continue preparing for a career as a physical therapist!

Provo, UT; Y Be Fit - Jocelyn

For my internship I worked at Y Be Fit as a health coach.  Y Be Fit can be found on the BYU campus in the Richards Building just kitty corner from the information desk.
At Y Be Fit I had the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities.  I got to meet with clients on a weekly basis to help them on the path to health and wellness, perform body composition tests, various fitness tests (including a treadmill test to estimate VO2 max), as well as interpret blood work results for each client.  I had the opportunity to discuss all of the test results with each client at the beginning of their journey with Y Be Fit and again at the end so they could see the progress they made.
I also had the opportunity to learn more about coaching psychology, incorporate different styles of learning into my daily work, and work with other brilliant interns who all brought different ideas and perspectives to the table that provided many insights and tools that helped everyone learn and grow as a health coach.

BELIZE; Physical Therapy Internship - Randy

             The Octavia Waight Centre: Help Age Belize is a home for the elderly in the beautiful, paradisaical country of Belize in Central America.  The 25 residents of the center suffer from a variety of diseases; including diabetes, hemiplegia, and Alzheimer’s.  As an active geriatric physical therapy intern I was able to participate in the treatment of these patients, specifically helping them with physical therapy.  This has been the first time that I have worked consistently with geriatric patients, so I was interested to see how I would like the experience.

            Being a part of the Octavia Waight Centre was not only educational but also very enjoyable.  5 hours a day 5 days a week I helped patients with therapy, and when I was at the apartment I studied to learn different things I could do that would help the residents.  I learned so many things and developed skills that directly apply to my major (biology) and career choice (physical therapy).  I was also able to develop relationships that I will keep for the rest of my life.  Due to privacy concerns, I am unable to post the pictures that I took with the patients at the nursing home.

            In addition to the therapy, I also participated in a variety of volunteer opportunities.  We coached a middle school volleyball team, directed a youth summer camp at the police station, set up volunteer work at an abortion advisement clinic, and worked construction at a local school.  On the weekends we explored the culture.  By the end of the adventure, we had been all over the country.  It was a very productive 4 weeks, and I enjoyed every moment.

Overall, the internship was a remarkable, eye-opening learning experience.  I loved working with the patients, and I learned that I would be more than happy to work in geriatric physical therapy.

Iasi, Romania; Physical Therapy Internship - Jenna

        From the beginning of September until the end of November 2012, I participated in an international internship in Iasi, Romania. Half of my day was spent with a specific group of children in an orphanage while the other half of my day was spent with children in a hospital. Many of the children I worked with had disabilities or developmental delays. I had the opportunity to work with a physical therapist’s assistant at the orphanage. I observed and participated in therapy sessions in which she taught me exercises and activities I could do with the children.

          In the orphanage I was assigned to work with fourteen children ranging in age as well as in physical ability. With the children who could walk on their own, I facilitated group dancing and games to help them to be active. Three of the boys I worked with had muscular

development issues so I would try to spend time with them each day
massaging and stretching their muscles.  The two boys I worked with most both had cerebral palsy. Through attending their physical therapy sessions, I learned exercises I could do with them each day. The older of the two boys had difficultly using his arms and had very little control over his legs. He and I worked on bending and stretching his legs and arms a few times a week. To help with his muscle control in his arms, we would also play a game where he would

grab a toy from one side of his body and place it in a container on the other side. With the younger boy I focused mostly on standing.  Ana showed me activities we could be doing to strengthen his leg muscles and increase his balance. Each day I would get him out of his wheel chair and he would crawl around the room first to stretch his muscles. Next I would stand him up at a table upon which he rested his arms for balance. This allowed him to straighten and strengthen his legs. On my last day at the orphanage, he pulled himself into standing position at the table. It was amazing to see what even a minimal amount of physical therapy could do.

            Through this experience, my appreciation for and understanding of physical therapy has increased. As I practiced what I had been taught, I felt more confident in my ability to facilitate therapeutic exercises.  The practice also taught me that doing therapy is not a one-person deal. I had to get the children I was working with to participate for the therapy to be most effective. This internship has made me want to pursue a degree in physical therapy even more because of the good that I saw accomplished by even small amounts of therapy.

  

Orem, UT; Center for Women and Children in Crisis: Rape Team Volunteer - Logan

I have been involved with the Center for Women and Children in Crisis (CWCIC) for the past year. My purpose as a volunteer for the CWCIC is to provide emotion relief and community resources to rape vicitms in Utah county. Volunteering included a 48 hour shift every month where you man the rape crisis hotline and respond to any rape victims seeking medical attention. On the rape crisis hotline I talk with victims of rape and help them gain the necessary skills to cope with the traumatic experience of rape. This has taught me how to be more empathetic and has opened my perspective of the outside world. While responding to victims seeking medical attention, I educate the victim about community resources available to them through the CWCIC (free counseling, group meetings, and government assistance). I also help them through the medical process such as the code R exam and any necessary medical treatment. This has helped me see the medical side of treating rape victims from the victims perspective. This is a wonderful way to volunteer and I encourage you all to participate. Training happens every few months. You can get more information by visiting: http://cwcic.org or email: clojik@cwcic.org for more information about volunteering.

Provo, UT; Utah State Hospital Physical Therapy Clinic - Phillip

My internship at the Utah State Hospital has been a great and unique experience. I have had patient responsibility and been able to work directly with several patients. After the Physical Therapist evaluates a new patient, he will create a treatment program for them. It is then my responsibility to help the patient through their treatment program each day. This includes exercises and modalities that focus on recovery as well as improving strength, endurance, and flexibility. Having already taken classes at BYU in Anatomy, Physiology, Kinesiology, Biomechanics, and Psychology, among others, helped prepare me for this experience working with patients.

Patients of all ages come to the physical therapy clinic (there are units with pediatric, youth, adult, high-risk forensic, and geriatric patients). Each patient is very different and deals with physical difficulties as well as mental illnesses of varying degrees. Because of this, I have learned to be adaptable in many different situations. I have developed greater patience and care for others. It is challenging to work with those who are struggling, but also very rewarding to know that I am making a positive difference in their lives.

Overall, my internship at the Utah State Hospital Physical Therapy clinic has been a wonderful experience. I’m sure I will remember these experiences for the rest of my life.  I have become more aware of mental disorders and I have become more kind and understanding. I also feel more prepared for my future in the health care industry where I will be working with patients on a daily basis.

Provo, UT; BYU Dance Training Room - Sean

For my internship, I spent a semester shadowing Dr. Ron Nuttall who is a certified physical therapist as well as the athletic trainer for all of the dance majors and members of the dance teams here at BYU. Ron intrigued me from the moment that I heard the way other people talked about him. They say he is the master and has a miraculous healing touch. I came to understand what everyone was talking about when I met him and saw him work. He definitely has his own way of doing things that most physical therapists don't apply. The effectiveness of his techniques was seen in the progress of his patients.

What I liked most about Ron is that he is very much an on hands sort of physical therapist. Most of today's physical therapists will throw you into a machine and let it do all the work. Even though it saves the physical therapists arms some exhaustion, it is not nearly as effective. 

Despite most of my internship being observation, I still learned a lot of things. I learned things like how to check alignment, correct an up and down slip, massage and perform positional releases for knots and how to properly heat and relax muscles through ultra sound and other techniques. It was definitely a rare and worthwhile experience.

Provo, UT; NOW I CAN! Intensive Pediatric Physical Therapy - Randy

ternship experience was amazing.  I would highly recommend it and advise to make sure you get more than 2 or 3 weeks in a given location.  
Now I Can! is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to helping disabled children reach their greatest potential (Nowican.org).  The therapists strive to achieve this mission through intensive physical therapy with patients that come in 5 days a week for 4-hour sessions.  Generally this will last 3-4 weeks.  I have had the privilege of volunteering for Now I Can for the 7 months, and this past semester I decided to apply for internship credit.
Because of my personal experience with physical therapy I was myopic enough to believe that the only field I would be interested in was sports injury recovery.  I searched for a place where I could volunteer, but no outpatients clinics designated for sports injuries were close to where I lived.  With a bicycle as my only form of transportation anywhere, this made things difficult.  I later found out about a pediatric physical therapy clinic just around the corner from my apartment, so I decided to investigate.  They let me know there was an opening for one more volunteer, and I started going every Thursday as a therapist assistant.
As I helped the children with different exercises and stretches that expanded their abilities I began to see how driven many of them were.  I fell in love with the whole experience.  The disabilities that the children with whom I was able to work included Cerebral Palsy (differing levels of severity), brain anomaly, Spina Bifida, brain tumor resection, and hemiplegia.  Never before had I worked with or even been around children with neurological disabilities, so any ideas or notions I previously had were created by myself.  However, working alongside these children and getting to know them by talking with them and observing them has led me to the conclusion that they are children of divine heritage just as is everyone around them.