Contemporary Therapeutic Aquatics: Interprofessional Course
Start Date
5-19-2012 2:30 PM
End Date
5-19-2012 2:45 PM
Description
Purpose: This course is designed to provide training in aquatic therapy theory, evaluation and intervention. Participants will learn about qualities of therapeutic pools, water safety, and practice management. Students will attain entry-level competencies in therapeutic aquatics upon graduation.
Background: Aquatic therapy can meet the needs of individuals from childhood to older adulthood with varieties of health conditions. In certain situations it is preferable to land-based therapy. This specialized area of practice is minimally covered in entry-level occupational and physical therapy curricula, yet aquatic therapy is a rapidly expanding area of practice. Presently therapists work in sites with pools but have no specific training. Therefore this course will fill a great need.
Description of Program: Contemporary Therapeutic Aquatics is an interprofessional course for occupational and physical therapy students, consisting of 10 weekly classes, including didactic and in-pool learning activities. Students will learn about water safety, affective issues, and evaluation and treatment for a variety of health conditions, including neurologic, musculoskeletal, pediatrics, wellness/cardio, and special cases. Several speakers will teach, according to their specialty.
Results: The first session begins Spring semester, 2012, with 11 PT and OT students registered. Performance results including an interprofessional project, final exam and practical with standardized patients are forthcoming after implementation.
Conclusion: Students will provide evidence-based and skilled practice to a variety of patients/clients in an aquatic environment. With a successful pilot year, the course will be opened to clinicians for CEU’s. Thus the course will become self-sustaining financially.
Relevance to interprofessional education and practice: Multiple professions engage in pool therapy. IPE principles enhance practical experience while promoting team-work. Aquatic therapy includes treatment, rehabilitation, prevention, health, wellness, and fitness in an aquatic environment across the age span with musculoskeletal, neuromotor, and cardiovascular/pulmonary and or other conditions. Students will participate in an interprofessional project.
Learning Objectives:
1. Demonstrate the construction of an IPE course from idea to implementation with external (JCIPE’s) encouragement and support.
2. Identify specific strategies in curriculum to develop students’ interprofessional team functioning in the unique context of therapeutic aquatics.
3. Apply IPE principles to connect academicians and clinicians.
Contemporary Therapeutic Aquatics: Interprofessional Course
Purpose: This course is designed to provide training in aquatic therapy theory, evaluation and intervention. Participants will learn about qualities of therapeutic pools, water safety, and practice management. Students will attain entry-level competencies in therapeutic aquatics upon graduation.
Background: Aquatic therapy can meet the needs of individuals from childhood to older adulthood with varieties of health conditions. In certain situations it is preferable to land-based therapy. This specialized area of practice is minimally covered in entry-level occupational and physical therapy curricula, yet aquatic therapy is a rapidly expanding area of practice. Presently therapists work in sites with pools but have no specific training. Therefore this course will fill a great need.
Description of Program: Contemporary Therapeutic Aquatics is an interprofessional course for occupational and physical therapy students, consisting of 10 weekly classes, including didactic and in-pool learning activities. Students will learn about water safety, affective issues, and evaluation and treatment for a variety of health conditions, including neurologic, musculoskeletal, pediatrics, wellness/cardio, and special cases. Several speakers will teach, according to their specialty.
Results: The first session begins Spring semester, 2012, with 11 PT and OT students registered. Performance results including an interprofessional project, final exam and practical with standardized patients are forthcoming after implementation.
Conclusion: Students will provide evidence-based and skilled practice to a variety of patients/clients in an aquatic environment. With a successful pilot year, the course will be opened to clinicians for CEU’s. Thus the course will become self-sustaining financially.
Relevance to interprofessional education and practice: Multiple professions engage in pool therapy. IPE principles enhance practical experience while promoting team-work. Aquatic therapy includes treatment, rehabilitation, prevention, health, wellness, and fitness in an aquatic environment across the age span with musculoskeletal, neuromotor, and cardiovascular/pulmonary and or other conditions. Students will participate in an interprofessional project.
Learning Objectives:
1. Demonstrate the construction of an IPE course from idea to implementation with external (JCIPE’s) encouragement and support.
2. Identify specific strategies in curriculum to develop students’ interprofessional team functioning in the unique context of therapeutic aquatics.
3. Apply IPE principles to connect academicians and clinicians.
