Pioneering PT students join medical mission trip

[Link]A full team of physical therapy students and faculty from The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth recently joined Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine students on a medical mission trip to rural West Texas. The mission, part of the Rural Osteopathic Medical Education, or ROME, program, traditionally involved only TCOM students. This year's inclusion of eight PT students marks a significant step in interprofessional education, aimed at fostering collaboration among different health care disciplines.

Kyle Weeks, third-year PT student, initiated the inclusion of PT students in the mission. "Back in early March, I felt a calling to go on a mission trip," he said. "Growing up, I always had people in my life involved in medical missions, and I wanted to serve the community with my skills," Weeks said. After discussing his idea with faculty advisor Dr. Beverly McNeal and department chair Dr. Michael Furtado, Weeks found an opportunity in the ROME program. His classmate, DK Young, participated in a preliminary trip to assess how PT could be integrated into the mission.

The mission trip, held from late June to early July, saw PT and TCOM students working together to provide comprehensive health care services, including sports physicals, assistive device distribution, home visits and wound care. "It was one of the best IPE experiences I've ever had," Weeks said. "We didn't know exactly where we fit in at first, but by the end, we were effectively collaborating with TCOM students to enhance patient care."

[Link]Karina Martinez, another third-year PT student, echoed Weeks' sentiments. "Initially, we thought we were just doing sports physicals, but soon realized the significant need for orthopedic help. We dove right in, conducting evaluations and initial treatments under the supervision of our faculty," she said. Martinez, who grew up in rural Ruidoso, New Mexico, was particularly struck by the lack of health care access in these communities. "Seeing patients who hadn't had medical care in 15 to 20 years was eye-opening," she added.

The trip's impact was felt on both sides of the health care provider-patient relationship. "Patients felt more comfortable knowing they had a full health care team around them," Weeks noted. "The TCOM students handled medications and histories, while we ensured patient safety and provided physical therapy assessments."

Joshua Roberts, a second-year TCOM student, praised the PT students' contributions. "The PT students were phenomenal. With their help, we expedited school physicals and engaged in interdisciplinary education, feeding off each other's knowledge and skills."

McNeal highlighted the transformative effect the trip had on the PT students. "Watching the students literally bloom in their confidence right before our eyes was beautiful," she said. "They have good knowledge, but this trip dramatically increased their confidence in applying it."

The mission trip spanned several communities, each presenting unique challenges and opportunities. In Fort Davis, the team partnered with local public health officials to offer back-to-school vaccinations and comprehensive health care services. In Marathon, they utilized a small community clinic for patient care and home visits, significantly improving the quality of life for many residents.

[Link]In Terlingua, the clinic was held at the high school for the first time due to the growing number of patients. The team honored a local point-of-contact undergoing medical treatment by wearing turquoise bandanas to raise awareness for ovarian cancer. Susan Martin, Chief of Terlingua Fire and EMS, and Reagan Reed, Superintendent of Schools, played crucial roles in ensuring the clinic's success.

The final clinic in Sanderson was similarly impactful. PT students provided durable medical equipment, greatly enhancing patients' mobility and quality of life. McNeal reflected on the experience, saying, "Life in far west Texas is still like the wild west in many ways - simple, rugged and often isolating. Being able to serve with our students in this environment was incredibly rewarding."

Looking ahead, both PT and TCOM students expressed a desire to continue these interprofessional missions. "I would encourage anyone in the health care community to participate in a medical mission," Martinez said. "It's a reminder of why we chose this profession and the significant impact we can have."

The collaboration between PT and TCOM students not only provided much-needed health care services to underserved communities but also reinforced the importance of interprofessional education in preparing future healthcare providers. This pioneering effort by HSC sets a precedent for future missions, highlighting the value of teamwork in improving patient care.

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