Service & Engagement
- APTA - Ohio Secretary, Conference Planning Committee Chair, PTA Advisory Committee Member
- Certified Brain Injury Specialist
- Advance Proficiency Pathway in Geriatric PT
- APTA Academy member Neurology, Geriatrics, Education
Experience
The setting I work in has been described as a “SNF on steroids.” I also float to our LTACH unit which enables me to treat a wide variety of patient diagnoses ranging from lower-level (Disorders of Consciousness, Brain on Fire Syndrome, and C2 SCI) to more common neuro diagnoses (Stroke and Guillain Barré) to higher level patients (FND, PD, MS, vestibular hypofunction, and balance reeducation).
As a generalist, I rely on ANPT tools to provide the best possible patient care. In fact, when ANPT initially published the Core Set of Outcome Measures for Adults with Neurologic Conditions, I was part of our SNFimplementation team for Testing Tuesday where the goal is for every PT/PTA to utilize an appropriate outcome measure with each patient. To reduce implementation barriers, we measured the course and placed signage for a 10 MWT track and developed Smart Phrases to facilitate efficient documentation. Years later Testing Tuesday is still running strong. Every patient now has an outcome measuregoal, and we have an expanded list of tests and measures we utilize. It’s incredibly rewarding to see patients take pride in the progress they have made in PT, especially after a long and/or complicated hospital course. Often after completing a TUG or 10MWT, a patient asks me “How did I do?” After I communicate their time, they immediately respond with “Let’s do that again. I know I can walk faster.” Outcome measures can be such a great tool to engage and encourage patients along their PT journey!
Many of my patients do not have a neuro diagnosis, but struggle with chronic pain and/or kinesiophobia. (As a side note, I used the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia on Testing Tuesday). Frequently, I integrate Pain Neuroscience Education into treatment sessions with these populations. I am at peace with the fact that as a PTA it is not my role to fix, change, or grow anyone, but rather coach and guide my patients through a transitional period, providing them with tools and insights to facilitate an improved quality of life.Some of my most rewarding moments as a PTA are when patient share things like “I was starting to have a panic attack, but I remembered to breathe and was able to finish the stairs.” Or “After you clearly explained what I was doing, I was able to stand up all the way on my own.” I treasure those moments when patients put things together, pay attention to and understand their body, and work past roadblocks on their journey to returning home.
As an ANPT member, I find the CPGs to be especially helpful with the variety of patients I encounter. Information from the Balance and Falls SIG applies to nearly every patient I treat. I am interested to see what ANPT could do with neuro aspect of chronic pain. My patients receive better care because of ANPT resources, and I would like to extend a warm “Thank You” to all the individuals who make them possible.