Professional Documents
Culture Documents
3F March 2012
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Mexican-American Youth Add Pounds As They Lose Native Eating Habits Tool Assessing Medical Home Care May Be Flawed
QA Heidi Wright,
&
with
Traumatic Brain Injuries Are Likely More Common Than Previously Thought
Wheaton, Illinois
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Heidi Wright is a pediatric PT at Theraplay, Inc. She completed her undergraduate degree at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington, and her graduate DPT program at Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania. She is also certified in Interactive Metronome. As a pediatric physical therapist, Heidi says her job helping children and their families is rewarding.
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Q&A
Q: What motivated you to become a pediatric physical therapist? A: I became interested in physical therapy after going to PT in high school due to shin splints. Initially I wanted to work with athletes, but became more interested in pediatrics as I helped take care of two younger sisters, one of which had a lot of medical problems in her first year of life. Q: Why are pediatric PTs such an important part of the healthcare industry? A: Pediatrics is an area in which many adult therapists are not comfortable with, and just like any other area of specialty it is critical to truly understand and be knowledgeable about the population you are working with. There are more and more kids living with physical disabilities and special needs who need therapy in order to have a more functional, independent life and that is what we help them do. Q: Can you tell our readers about your workplace and what services are offered? A: I work at one of Theraplays outpatient facilities where we treat kids from birth to 21 years. Our main focus is one-on-one treatment with each of our patients. After treatment we educate them and their family. We also spend a significant amount of time as a company educating other medical professionals as well as educating the community. At the West Chester office we have two PTs certified in Interactive Metronome
& QA with
Heidi Wright,
Q&A
and two that are working on becoming certified as Kinesio Taping Practitioners. Q: Whats it like working at Theraplay? skills due to hypotonia or autism. Neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy and seizure disorders are also common. make in our kids and their families lives. I dislike the paperwork, which Im sure is true of many clinicians.
Q: Can you share an inspirational story about PT? Q: Are you currently involved A: We all work with a team with any research projects? approach, which allows us to con- A: One of my most inspiring stostantly discuss the kids we are ries was when I was working with A: I am not currently involved in working with and bounce ideas off a 6-year-old little girl who has a any research projects. Most of of each other in order to help our diagnosis of CP. She was indethe projects I get involved with kids and improve their outcomes. pendent walking with a posterior are ones within the clinic that will There are a large number of us walker, but we had been workhelp our treatment sessions and who have been here for more than ing on ambulating with bilateral improve the outcomes and bentwo years, which makes our team Lofstrand crutches and improving efits to our kids. feel like a second family. her balance for months in order to make her more independent in her Q: Do you feel that the role of Q: When and how did you start home. During a session she was PTs has changed over recent at this facility? standing independently without an years? assistive device and without cues A: I started working for Theraplay took two to three steps forward. A: I have not noticed a significant three and a half years ago after She then took her first indepenchange in our PT roles in the completing my final affiliation in dent steps without an assistive pediatric setting. Im sure that will grad school at one of their outpa- device in front of her family! It was change as I gain more experience tient offices. an amazing moment for both her in the field and as the healthcare family and the PT team! system continues to change. Q: Typically, what are your dayto-day responsibilities as a Q: What are the greatest chalQ: What do you feel is of the physical therapist? lenges you face working in greatest concern to PTs today? pediatrics? A: On a day-to-day basis the A: I think it can be difficult for PTs majority of my time is spent treatA: Explaining and educating fami- across the board to provide servicing patients one-on-one and lies in sensitive areas can be one es at a frequency/duration we feel educating the patients and their of the most challenging aspects appropriate, which is in large part families. I also spend time on com- of my job. We have a lot of amazdue to insurance and co-pays. We municating with patients doctors ing families that only want the best often have families who have high in order to update their progress for their kids. Sometimes we are co-pays they cant afford or insurand/or express concerns. the first ones to truly help a family ance benefits that limit how long understand their childs diagnosis they can attend PT. Unfortunately Q: What types of patients/diag- and what his or her outcome may with some of these patients we are noses do you encounter most be. not always able to get the outcome frequently? in the time allotted. Q: What do you like most about A: We have a high infant populayour job? What do you dislike Q: What is the most rewarding tion with torticollis being the most most about your job? part of your job? common diagnosis. We also work with a lot of kids who have difA: I love the team of therapists I A: The most rewarding aspect of ficulty with their developmental work with and the difference we my job is seeing how we improve
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Q&A
kids and their familys lives. Sometimes something that may seem so small to us really does make a big difference in the childs and familys lives. Q: What is the most important thing youve learned over the course of your career? A: It is important to try and put yourself in your patients and their parents shoes. I think we can put a lot of expectations on families, which can be overwhelming when you have a sick or special needs child. Listening to and adjusting your expectations will improve your professional relationship with the family and hopefully increase their compliance. Q: What advice do you have for others thinking of entering a pediatric specialty? and work with more experienced therapists. There are a lot of things to learn in peds that are not learned in school. Continuing to learn and educate yourself throughout your career will help make your job easier and improve your skills as a clinician. Q: How has working in pediatrics allowed you to grow professionally? A: It has helped me in my ability to educate others. We are constantly educating our families and kids, which in turn has increased my confidence and ability to educate other professionals. Q: If you could sum up your job in one word, what would it be and why?
A: Rewarding. I leave work every day with a feeling of accomplishA: Take advantage of any opportu- ment, and that I have helped a child nity you have to learn new things and his or her family in some way. F
News
with their immigration and acculturation experience, said Liu, a researcher in the Arnold Schools department of epidemiology and biostatistics. This verified what we expected: the greater the acculturation that a young person has experienced, the less healthy their diet. The implication of the study is that young people who are more likely to be acculturated need help and support to maintain a healthy diet, she said. Although the study did not address the causes, Liu said many immigrant families have a lower socioeconomic status and therefore cannot afford to buy fruits and vegetables and healthier foods, which are more expensive.
Our findings also suggest that policies and programs should be in place to help immigrants protect Mexican-American children are their traditional dietary practices disproportionately affected by obesuch as a high consumption of fruit, sity, said Dr. Jihong Liu, the lead vegetables, and bread while they author of the paper. This has seri- According to the study, adolesous public health consequences cents from second and third gener- assimilate to the American culture because Mexican Americans are ations have diets high in saturated and society, Liu said. Future studthe fastest growing segment of the fat and sodium, and they consume ies should continue to examine the barriers that Mexican-American adopopulation. They are a very imporhigh levels of sweetened beverlescents encounter in maintaining tant population to study. ages. Their consumption of fruits, vegetables, grains, meat and beans their native diet and identify strategies to address those barriers. Few studies have examined the was lower than first-generation impact of both immigration and a Mexican-American youth. childs acculturation on obesity, she Arnold School researchers Dr. said. Most are focused on adults, A typical Mexican diet includes Edward Frongillo, Dr. Janice Probst, who are at increased risk for obecorn, beans, meat such as pork and Mr. Yong Chu, a doctoral candisity with each generation. and fish, fruits, including pineapple date, contributed to the study, which and papaya and vegetables such was supported by the Maternal and Second-generation Mexican as squash and avocado. Child Health Research Program Americans were 2.5 times as likely of the US Health Resources and to be obese as their first-generation Our findings suggest that Mexican- Services Administration. peers; third-generation Mexican American adolescents face chalAmericans were two times more lenges in terms of poorer diet and Source: University of South likely to be obese. excessive weight gain associated Carolina
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News
To measure patients quality of care, the researchers looked at medical records for 50 randomly selected patients from each of the 30 health centers. They assessed whether five ON THE HEALTH FRONT, the poor In fact, the study found, there is no recommended diabetes screening often have at least two things going relation between how well a health tests were conducted in the previous against them: a lack of insurance and center scored on the NCQA assessyear: hemoglobin A1c, low-density chronic illnesses, of which diabetes ment and the quality of diabetes care lipoprotein cholesterol, blood presis among the most common. it provided. sure, a urine protein test, and a dilated eye examination. They also looked at The federal Affordable Care Act The study was released February 15 three intermediate outcomes risk would expand the capacity of the as a Web first publication by the factors that are precursors to a serinations 8,000 community health cen- journal Health Affairs and will appear ous condition, such as elevated blood ters to provide care for low-income, in the journals March print issue. pressure preceding a heart attack. In largely minority patientsfrom the this case, they checked for control of current 20 million to about 40 million The major issue here is that the blood glucose levels and cholesterol, by 2015. The federal government NCQA assessment tool was develas well as blood pressure. is also trying to ensure that these oped based on evidence of what community health centers deliver worked for private primary-care Of the 30 participating community high-quality primary care, including practices that delivered care to health centers, eight earned Level diabetes care. insured patients, said lead author 3 recognition on the PPCPCMH Dr. Robin Clarke, a physician in the assessment tool, three were at Level A crucial part of this is the impleRobert Wood Johnson Foundation 2, and 19 were at Level 1. There was mentation of what is known as the Clinical Scholars program in the a wide range of NCQA scores on the patient-centered medical home division of general internal medicine tool, indicated that some health cenmodel, which provides compreand health services research at the ters had many more medical home hensive, coordinated care among David Geffen School of Medicine components than others. There were patients, their physicians and, some- at UCLA. Because we have limited also substantive differences in the times, family members through the experience in applying the NCQA quality of diabetes care within the use of registries, information technol- tool to community health centers, sample. ogy and other resources. It is intend- there is a question of what effective, ed to ensure that patients receive patient-centered care for low-income We found that there was a broad care on a continuous basisrather patients actually entails. distribution of NCQA scores and a than just during periodic visits to the broad distribution in the quality of diadoctors office, for example. For their study, the researchers betes care that these health centers had 30 Los Angeles County comdeliver, Clarke said. But there was The assessment tool used by fedmunity health centers complete no statistically important relationship eral government programs to meathe 2008 NCQA Physician Practice in how well a clinic scores on NCQA sure whether a community health Connections/Patient-Centered and the quality of care it provides. center is functioning as a medical Medical Home (PPCPCMH) tool, home was developed by the nonwhich assesses the operational Clarke and his co-investigators profit National Committee for Quality systems the health centers use to write in the study that these federal Assurance (NCQA). But, accordidentify, track and treat their patients. programs launched by the healthing to a new UCLA study, theres a Health centers are scored on a 0-to- care reform law represent a special problem: The NCQA tool doesnt 100 scale and based on their scores opportunity: a combination of stable adequately evaluate the services are given recognition levels ranging insurance through healthcare reform that determine the quality of diabetes from Level 3 on the high end to not and genuine patient-centered medicare in community health centers. recognized on the low end. cal home care through a community
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health center, which could potentially help reduce illness and premature death among low-income diabetes patients. In addition, if these patients receive better primary care, they may be less likely to use emergency departments and require hospital care. But as it now stands, this study raises the question of whether the NCQA tool, when applied to community health centers, can lead to those goals. There is a lot of potential for the positive effects that the patient-centered medical home model could have on community health center care, Clarke said. But the NCQAs tool itself seems to miss the services that are important for low-income diabetes patients. There are some potential limitations to the findings, the researchers said. For instance, while this study was cross-sectional and observational, a randomized longitudinal study would be needed to determine if a higher NCQA score can lead to better diabetes care. The study used the 2008 version of the NCQAs assessment tool, and an update version was released in 2011. The Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program at UCLA and the National Institutes of Health funded the study. In addition to Clarke, study authors included Chi-hom Tseng, Robert Brook and Arleen Brown of UCLA. Brook is also associated with the RAND Corp., a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decision-making through research and analysis. Source: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Health Sciences Researchers used the Mayo Traumatic Brain Injury Classification System, a new brain injury method that classifies head injuries along a more comprehensive scale than ever before. The categories label patients with definite, probable and possible TBIs, providing a way to incorporate symptoms such as a brief period of unconsciousness or even an injured patients complaint of dizziness or nausea. Using the Rochester Epidemiology Project, a several decades-long compilation of medical records in Olmsted County, Minnesota, the team determined that TBIs occur in as many as 558 per 100,000 people, compared to the 341 per 100,000 estimated by the CDC. Researchers found that 60% of injuries fell outside the standard categorization used by the CDC, even though twothirds of them were symptomatic. Mayo researchers found the elderly and the young were found most at risk for definite and possible injury, respectively, and men were more at risk than women. The findings reinforce ongoing efforts by the CDC to create a brain injury classification that more broadly encompasses traumatic head injury. With more complete assessment of frequency, well have better tools to develop prevention programs, optimize treatments, understand cost-effectiveness of care and predict outcomes for patients, says Dr. Brown. Other study authors include Cynthia Leibson, PhD; Jeanine Ransom; Nancy Diehl; Patricia Perkins; and Jay Mandrekar, PhD, all of Mayo Clinic, and James Malec, PhD, of the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana. Source: Mayo Clinic
Traumatic Brain Injuries Are Likely More Common Than Previously Thought
THOUGH RESEARCHERS are becoming increasingly aware of the long-term effects of head injury, few studies have looked at the prevalence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in all age groups, including males and females, taking into account both mild and serious events. In a recent study published in Epidemiology, Mayo Clinic researchers applied a new, refined system for classifying injuries caused by force to the head and found that the incidence of traumatic brain injury is likely greater than has been estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Even mild traumatic brain injuries can affect sensory-motor functions, thinking and awareness, and communication, says study author Allen Brown, MD, director of brain rehabilitation research at Mayo Clinic. In assessing frequency, we have likely been missing a lot of cases. This is the first populationbased analysis to determine prevalence along the whole spectrum of these injuries.
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SEPTEMBEr
2012
FPTA 2012 Annual Conference. Sponsored by the Florida Physical Therapy Association. September 13-16, 2012 Daytona Beach Hilton, Daytona, FL Phone: 850-222-1243 Fax: 850-224-5281 Web: www.fpta.org CPTA 2012 Annual Conference. Sponsored by the California Physical Therapy Association. September 28-29, 2012 Santa Clara Convention Center and Hyatt Regency Hotel, Santa Clara, CA Toll Free: 800-743-2782 Web: www.ccapta.org
www.ohiopt.org
FEBRUARY
2013
APTA Combined Sections Meeting (CSM 2013). Sponsored by the American Physical Therapy Association. February 20-23, 2013 Nashville, TN Phone: 800-999-2782 Fax: 703-684-7343 Email: conferences@apta.org Web: www.apta.org
MAY
2012
OCTOBER
2012
AOHP 2012 National Conference. Maximizing Tracer Activities. Sponsored by Joint Commission Resources, Inc. Sponsored by the Association of Occupational Health Professionals. May 9, 2012 October 3-6, 2012 Oakbrook Terrace, IL Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV Phone: 877-223-6866 Phone: 800-362-4347 Email: jcrcustomerservice@pbd.com Email: info@aohp.org Web: www.jcrinc.com Web: https://www.aohp.org/
JUNE
2012
APTA Annual Conference and Exposition (PT 2012). Sponsored by the American Physical Therapy Association. June 6-9, 2012 Tampa, FL Phone: 800-999-2782 Fax: 703-684-7343 Email: conferences@apta.org Web: www.apta.org
2012 WPTA Fall Conference. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Physical Therapy Association. October 11-13, 2012 Kalahari, Wisconsin Dells, WI Phone: 608-221-9191 Fax: 608-221-9697 Email: wpta@wpta.org Web: www.wpta.org
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iNSTrUCTOr
PTA Program
Indian Hills Community College has immediate opportunities for a Program Director for the Physical Therapist Assistant and Therapeutic Massage Programs and an Instructor for the PTA program. Starting salaries range $50,312-$67,471 plus competitive fringe benefit package and a 4-day workweek. PT preferred and must be eligible for Iowa Licensure. Minimum requirements and complete job descriptions can be found at www.indianhills.edu. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled. Send letter of application and resume to: Human Resources
525 Grandview Ave., Ottumwa, IA 52501 Office: 641-683-5200 (Monday-Thursday) Fax: 641-683-5184 E-mail: hr@indianhills.edu
AA/EOE
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Mason City, Iowa Mercy Medical Center - North Iowa is a teaching facility and regional referral center, serving a population base of 215,000 people, in a 14 county service area. Mason City, a community of 30,000 will surprise you with a progressive attitude in a small city setting! We enjoy excellent public and private school systems, beautiful parks and trails, museums, malls, and more. The following opportunities are available to join our team:
PHYSICAL THERAPIST
We are currently seeking Physical Therapists to work full-time in our Rehabilitation Department. This exciting and challenging opportunity include Orthopedic Outpatient Populations, General Outpatient (pediatrics, pulmonary rehab., & womens health), and High School/Collegiate Sports Medicine. Qualified applicants must be a graduate in an approved program by the American Physical Therapy Association. Must have current licensure in the state of Iowa or be license eligible. New graduates are encouraged to apply.
OT & COTA
We are seeking OTs & COTAs to join us full-time. OT applicants must have completed an OT program with a B.S., B.A., M.O.T., M.S., or M.A. degree, registered and certification by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), & licensed or as an Occupational Therapist, registered in the State of Iowa, or license eligible. COTA applicants must be Iowa licensed or license eligible Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.
Mercy offers competitive wages and a comprehensive benefit package. Interested applicants please apply online at
www.mercynorthiowa.com
New Jersey
PT OT SLP
Sierra Vista Unified School District seeks permanent full-time Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists to serve students with a variety of orthopedic, neurological, speech and language impairments, grades Prek-12. Candidate must be able to obtain the appropriate Arizona state license to practice. Competitive salary and benefit package to include school year schedule with paid holidays and Health and Retirement Benefits. Sierra Vista, Arizona is a flourishing city, surrounded by the natural beauty of majestic mountain ranges and boasts a temperate year-round climate, abundant sunshine, and clean, fresh air, with year-round activities and events for families of all ages.
PHYSICAL THERAPIST
Community-based brain injury rehab is seeking FT/PT physical therapists for its northern NJ program. Responsible for treatment & evaluation as part of a multidisciplinary team. License required. Benefits plus competitive salary. Please forward resume to Nancy Sommerville 18-01 Pollitt Drive, Suite 1-A Fair Lawn, NJ 07410 or Fax: 201-478-4201 or e-mail to hr@rehab-specialists.com
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Washington, D.C.
Physical Therapist
www.phoebeputney.com
EOE
awellington@arapc.com
EOE.
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Physical TheraPisTs
Georgia Rehabilitation & Imaging of Warm Springs Medical Center is dedicated to the philosophy of clinical excellence in providing physical and occupational rehabilitation. We are a state-of-the-art rehabilitation center located in Newnan, GA with immediate opportunities for
Bronson Methodist hospital is a 405-bed tertiary, Level 1 trauma center located in Southwest Michigan that offers virtually every specialty and subspecialty, including nationally recognized cardiac and neurological programs. Bronson has current openings for Physical Therapists at various locations. Full-time Physical Therapist to work four 10-hour shifts in a busy outpatient clinic serving a diverse population. Manual therapy and strong orthopedic background including treatment of the spine preferred. PT will work Tuesday through Friday 8:30am 7pm. No weekends or holidays required. MI PT license required. Other full time, oncall or home health opportunities can be reviewed on our website or discussed with our recruiter. We welcome a conversation to discuss your fit with Bronson! Kalamazoo is located midway between Detroit and Chicago, and is home to Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, and Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The area offers diverse cultural opportunities; economic diversification; affordable real estate; easy access to ski resorts and Lake Michigan. This is a vibrant place for young people and families alike. To take a closer look, visit discoverkalamazoo.com
Physical Therapists
Outpatient
Experience: Manual Orthopedic and Neurodynamic Therapeutic skills License: Licensed in the State of Georgia Physical Therapy and CPR certification required Education: Bachelors of Science or Masters of Science or Doctor of Physiotherapy in Physical Therapy Hours Per Week: 40 FLSA Status: Exempt Salary: Based on Experience, competitive compensation packages Please contact: Dr. Fonda L Price, BS, MA, PHR Director of Human Resources
Newton, Kansas
Therapy CoordinaTor
Newton Medical Center is looking for an experienced, licensed/registered PT or OT to help lead our Therapy Department. We are a small Family Friendly Medical Center located in Newton, Kansas offering competitive salaries and a rich benefits package. For more information, please call Heather Kiehl at 316-804-6107 or visit us online at www.newtonmedicalcenter.com/careers
EOE
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Wheaton, Illinois
Heritage Home Healthcare & Hospice is the leading Homecare agency in New Mexico. Founded in 1993 by Len and Liz Trainor, Heritage and the professional staff who work here are knowledgeable and dedicated to excellent, compassionate care for patients, clients and their families. We are currently looking for a vibrant, outstanding Physical Therapist who is currently licensed in the state as a Physical Therapist to join our Albuquerque Team & one for our Las Vegas, NM Team. The PT will work with our close knit team, whom in collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team develops a plan of treatment for each physical therapy patient and provides skilled physical therapy services in accord.
Qualified candidates will meet the following criteria: Graduate from an accredited school of physical therapy; minimum of two years experience as a physical therapist in an acute care facility, outpatient setting, community health service or home health agency in the past three years; current state license as a Physical Therapist; current CPR; valid drivers license and current auto insurance; and current health certificate. Benefits: Competitive Pay; generous Paid Time Off plan; programs to recognize outstanding employee performance; opportunity to participate in 401(k) retirement plan; Flexible Spending Account/Cafeteria Plan; Aflac program offering; availability of voluntary benefits such as disability and life insurance at reduced rates.
A great place to work, with great people, for our community. CHECK OUT OUR VIDEOS: http://newmexico.jobing.com/v/3JPDMKQDQJ8 http://phoenix.jobing.com/v/3JRGPEOFOG8 At Heritage, we give our patients the opportunity to continue their healthcare in the comfort of home. Its what we are all about. Contact us to learn more about this great opportunity! For immediate consideration please call or send resume to: Daniel Faulkner, Recruiter, HERITAGE HOME HEALTHCARE
3721 Rutledge Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109
www.heritagehomehealthcare.com
Hours: M-W-F, 9:00am - 7:00pm with 1 hour lunch and T-TH, 8:00am - 2:00pm.
Benefits available include health insurance; 401k; and paid vacation & sick time. For immediate consideration please call or send resume to:
Dana Balzano, HR Coordinator, (630) 221-0200, dana.balzano@illinoisback.com or Stella Zaimi, Director of Clinics, (630) 677-3742, stellazaimi@yahoo.com
http://www.piedmonthealth.org