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.

Ghana, Africa. BYU Fieldstudies -Natalie. "Life Changing"

The only words I can sum my internship in Wiamoase, Ghana, West Africa are exactly those: life changing. Located in the South of the Western sub-Saharan region, Ghana has a population of 23.4 million. When I stepped off the plane I never could have guessed what the next three months had in store for me. I lived in a very small village where electricity came and went just like the waves of extreme heat. I didn’t have high expectations for my living situation so I was pleasantly surprised when I saw where I was living (mainly because we had a working toilet!). Wiamoase is about two miles long on the main road with not much to look at. With a future in the medical setting I knew I wanted to start off my internship in the clinic. Working with BYU Field Studies and their faculty I finally had my research narrowed down. I chose to research why parents bring their children to a clinic. About 1-½ miles away from where I stayed was the Salvation Army Health Center. Open 24 hours a day the clinic is mainly there for outpatient procedures. I started my days off in the O.P.D.(Out Patient Department) helping the nurses take temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and weight. I interviewed staff members about the clinic and how it operated. I sat and observed the clinic for a few weeks before actually interviewing any parents about why they chose the clinic as their primary health care. I quickly learned that most of the town does in fact prefer the clinic. As the weeks went on I began interviewing parents by asking a series of questions in a semi-structure interview process. I learned more from these people than I thought. Since I was working with BYU field studies I took a course that helped prepare for the research. The professors helped with every step of the way providing support whenever necessary. I grew as a person emotionally, physically, and mentally as a result of going on my internship to Ghana. I will never forget the experience I had and the things I learned.