Uniting San Antonio Rehab Students: UIW Hosts Rehab Team Event

The UIW School of Rehabilitation Sciences (SRS) strives to "develop high quality healthcare providers who are committed to maximizing individual function, achieving health and wellness and serving the common good of society" (uiw.edu). Through the school's efforts, aspiring healthcare professionals are prepared to serve local and global communities, fostering a sense of compassion wherever they may go.

On Wednesday, Oct. 1, students from the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (DOT) and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs from SRS were joined by Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) students from St. Philip's College and Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) students from Concorde Career College on the UIW Broadway Campus for a Rehab Team Event. The day offered a variety of activities for students to participate in, educating and challenging them on how to best approach patient care in the field.

Students got to listen to a panel of professionals from fields including physical therapy, occupational therapy and other specialties, and were encouraged to consider how to achieve the best patient outcomes. They also learned about providing care for specific cases such as patients who have experienced strokes.

In addition to learning healthcare fundamentals, students were given the opportunity to meet with their peers whom they will likely work alongside one day to provide care to patients. The day provided a unique opportunity for students to consider the needs of their respective roles as both future assistants and doctors so they could formulate quality patient care plans.

"This event is an early opportunity for future rehabilitation professionals to practice collaboration on a simulated patient who had a stroke," shared Professor of Physical Therapy, Dr. Sarah Luna. "Students used strategies to communicate effectively while respecting the capabilities of all members of the rehab team. Their future patients will ultimately benefit from comprehensive yet efficient treatment plans that address all of their rehabilitation needs."

Many students appreciated the experience, expressing how it contributed towards their journey as developing healthcare professionals.

"I feel like this event has been very helpful," shared Andrew Montelongo, SRS DPT student. "It's been interesting learning firsthand how to do handoffs, especially with PTA, and seeing how we can formulate a plan together and go from there. Considering aspects such as what the PTA might need from a PT standpoint and get their insights of what they need in certain areas, especially with my documentation and my goals."