Chapman: Doctor of Physical Therapy c/o 2011!

Background

Chapman University traces its beginnings to 1861 and is one of California’s oldest, most prestigious private universities. Located in historic Old Towne Orange in the heart of vibrant Orange County, Chapman enjoys beautiful weather and is close to all the best Southern California has to offer. Places Rated Almanac calls Orange County the best place to live in the United States.

The Role of the Physical Therapist

Physical therapists evaluate, educate and provide intervention to patients and clients in order to help prevent, correct and alleviate pain, discomfort and dysfunction brought about by both physical and mental disorders. The responsibilities of the physical therapist also include collaboration with other professionals, teaching, research, administration and consultation. Physical therapy services are provided in such diverse settings as hospitals, out-patient clinics, rehabilitation centers, private practices, voluntary health agencies, home health care agencies, schools for children with disabilities, public schools and sports therapy clinics.

Department Philosophy

The curriculum of the Department of Physical Therapy at Chapman University is based on the philosophy that physical therapists function as caring, problem-solving professionals rather than technicians. In keeping with this philosophy, the curricular goals, competencies and individual course objectives have been designed and interrelated so that their attainment, through classroom and clinical experiences, gradually provides student with the development of skills necessary for this level of function. Students are introduced early to the problem-solving process and to basic concepts and principles from the basic and applied sciences. Later courses require the utilization of these and more advanced concepts and principles in the solution of patient care problems.

An important concept in the philosophy of the Department Physical Therapy is that physical therapists function as caring professionals. The concepts of respect for the dignity of the individual are woven throughout the curriculum. To allow for the development of these concepts within the individual student, the curriculum provides opportunity for the students to learn the ways in which different people react to and interact with health care delivery personnel and programs. Students are provided opportunity to develop caring skills in the classrooms and clinic where academic and clinical faculty serve as role models.

The purpose of the Department Physical Therapy is to prepare graduates who will function effectively and be competent in any of the several non-specialized settings in which physical therapists practice. The goals of the Department are to help students become able to:

1.

Utilize effective verbal, nonverbal and written communication with personnel, patients, and families.
2.

Accurately and skillfully perform selected evaluation procedures related to referred diagnosis of patients to include record documentation and interpretation of data.
3.

Skillfully and accurately prepare a safe treatment area, apply treatment, and terminate treatment session.
4.

Perform independently while maintaining the ability to work cooperatively with the health care team.
5.

Participate in the planning, organization, and administration of a physical therapy service.
6.

Interpret and discuss research relevant to the practice of physical therapy.
7.

Identify the role and function of health care agencies and the procedures for utilizing their referral system.
8. Assess own performance and establish appropriate performance objectives for growth.

The curricular competencies which lead to the attainment of the curricular goals are listed on the following pages. The individual objectives for each course allow the student to gain skills necessary to achieve the competencies.

Reflections.

This journal is going on a year old now. I start writing last winter, while I was living in Beaverton, taking my stats course in the Grove, and volunteering over at a pediatrics PT clinic in Hillsboro. A few days I was awaken with the pleasant surprise of snow! This meant going to play in the snow with the Scarlett, the puppy, drinking hot cocoa, and watching movies. :) Incredible experiences rocked my world in the year since then, both positively and negatively. My horizons have been broadened in so many ways. *On a large scale, I experienced firsthand living in another part of the world. This catalyzed my desire to keep exploring. The world and its people intrigue me. *I have laid down roots in a third place; I feel as if a part of me is in each of these places. *I cannot describe how it feel to have family in a new place and develop such a strong relationship. *The experience of seeing new life and watching her develop is breathtaking. *For the first time, I had moments where I felt completely unconnected to the world around me. I knew nobody. I felt alone. It only took me a few hours to begin meeting new people in my apartment complex and within the first week, friendships were developing which are still active (or as active as can be despite the distances). *I met a beautiful individual who demonstrated how to live and love life..."que el pan"...the room brightens whenever this person is around. *I learned to value each day, each hour. What if I were to die tomorrow? Would I have regretted holding back today? Don't hold back. *I also experienced falling in and out of love. As easy as it is to curse love and say that is sucks....it doesn't. It is a beautiful thing. It's the hurt that occurs when you open yourself up. When one is truly in love, he or she is completely vulnerable! Despite how close you think you are to somebody, you never know what the person is actually thinking or feeling, regardless of what their words or actions. I guess it's true what they say, that is is better to have loved and have lost, than to have never loved at all. It makes life more interesting at least. ;)

Now, I'm laying on my bed in VV111. For once, I don't hear raindrops hitting the pavement outside. A Civil Rights book is sitting on my windowsill, which I should be reading. It is unbelievable that I will be graduating in May. In April I will be presenting my two senior projects. In March Inga and I will be driving down for a cali-style spring break. Next week, my Oma arrives for a week of exploring Oregon for the first time. Time is counting down. Everything is happening in the blink of an eye. After graduation, I am heading down to the Peruvian Amazon for a 3-week service project. I want to see the world; I want to make an impression, even if it is just upon one person. After that, there is no plan. For the first time, there is not yet a plan...and it excites me! In the summer, I will live back in Cali? Up here? In the fall, I will go back to Germany? To So Cal? To Portland? To Sac? Questions which time will answer. But a new chapter will definitely begin. New people will enter my life, but my real friends will not leave my side, nor I them, regardless of time and distance. And now...I'm getting myself caught in what I do best...the big p...procrastination, that is. Back to the book...

2008

Can't believe 2007 is already gone. It was a good year, full of many more ups than downs. I hope 2008 follows this way. I wish everybody a year of good health, happiness, and lots of fun!!