title: Implementing Physical Therapy Services and Screenings for the Students of the UNLV College of Fine Arts for Health and Injury Prevention: A Service-Learning Approach
Creators: name: Barajas, Selene
name: Dietrich, Justin
name: Ganzon, Brenna
name: Mack, Payton
name: Metzger, Katherine
name: Mueller, Tanner
Publisher: name: University of Nevada, Las Vegas
publisherIdentifier: https://ror.org/0406gha72
publisherIdentifierScheme: ROR
Year: 2024

description: "<p>Individuals who participate in Fine Arts such as orchestra, dance, and theater at high levels are predisposed to injury. Many of these injuries are preventable, and when not adequately managed, they can result in lost rehearsal time and prevent participation in performances required for degree completion. While collegiate athletes typically have access to healthcare resources such as a team physician, athletic trainer, and physical therapist, collegiate performing artists often must navigate the healthcare environment on their own. Furthermore, available healthcare providers may lack knowledge and experience working with performing artists and be less able to treat the unique healthcare needs of these individuals adequately. Thus, the purpose of this servicelearning project is to create a mutually beneficial relationship between the University of Nevada Las Vegas Department of Physical Therapy (UNLVPT) and College of Fine Arts (CFA) for the benefit of students from both disciplines. </p>
<p>To address this local gap in healthcare, a group of six second year UNLVPT students completed five hours of professional development coursework related to screening and treating performing artists and then provided pro-bono physical therapy services and dance screens for CFA students over one academic year. Through hands-on practice of clinical skills coupled with faculty mentorship and grand rounds, student physical therapists refined their clinical reasoning and enhanced peer collaboration. Student physical therapists and faculty mentors met regularly to discuss quality improvement strategies in real time to refine and enhance clinic operating procedures. </p>
<p>During this project, student physical therapists provided 16 individual patients a total of 48 skilled physical therapy treatment sessions, and three individuals received an evidence-based injury prevention screen for dancers. This project's outcomes were iv assessed via satisfaction surveys for CFA students, post-project reflective journaling for PT students, and an information interview with one CFA faculty member. Given that verbal feedback was received from only one professor in the CFA, the generalizability of the faculty satisfaction assessment is limited. The response rate for the CFA student satisfaction survey was 37%, and 24% of CFA students met all therapy goals. Common themes found in the comments from the CFA student satisfaction survey included attentiveness of PT students to patients’ needs and desire for increased clinic hours of operation. Common themes found in the reflections of the PT students included improved confidence and opportunity to enhance clinical reasoning skills with mentorship. While no definite conclusions can be drawn from this limited data from CFA students and faculty, the positive feedback and constructive criticism offers promise for the continued improvement of the project and ongoing collaboration between the Department of Physical Therapy and the College of Fine Arts. </p>
<p>This project outlines a potential model for student physical therapist service learning that can enrich physical therapy education, while also enhancing the unique skills of physical therapists to better serve individuals within the collegiate performing arts community who may be underserved. This service-learning project design may inform similar projects in academic settings and with similar community needs.</p>"