School and college students from Speech-Language Pathology and Bodily Remedy coordinated the third annual Parkinson’s Well being Honest on the Multispecialty Clinic in Downers Grove, the place 15 people with Parkinson’s and 14 caregivers attended to study extra about methods to handle Parkinson’s illness.
“Parkinson’s is a progressive illness. There are methods to delay its development and enhance high quality of life. We have to begin when the illness is first recognized. Oftentimes, physicians and others don’t have the concept of early intervention, and so they delay till it’s a greater drawback,” mentioned Judy Ball, M.S., CCC-SLP, Scientific Affiliate Professor, Speech-Language Pathology.
Ms. Ball and three college students from the Speech-Language Pathology program, Alana Batista (CHS-Downers Grove SLP ’25); Ashley Robinson (CHS-Downers Grove SLP ’25); and Anna Ulanski (CHS-Downers Grove SLP ’25) labored alongside Stacey Lane, PT, D.P.T., NCS, Scientific Teacher, Bodily Remedy Institute; Teri Elliott-Burke, PT, D.P.T., M.H.S, Educational Clinic Coordinator, Bodily Remedy, Multispecialty Clinic; Jane Borgehammar, PT, DSc, OCS, Scientific Teacher, Bodily Remedy Institute; Thomas Dillon, PT, D.P.T., OCS, Scientific Assistant Professor, Bodily Remedy Institute; and three Bodily Remedy college students Faizeen Ahmed (CHS-Downers Grove PT ’25); Brian Santos (CHS-Downers Grove PT ’25); and Leah Sindberg (CHS-Downers Grove PT ’25) to create and run the occasion.
Preparation for the occasion gave speech-language pathology and bodily remedy college students the possibility for interprofessional collaboration. Ms. Ball mentioned, “It will increase their data of different disciplines they are going to work with and creates data to work with interdisciplinary groups to supply the most effective care for his or her shoppers. It additionally helps them know when to make a suggestion to that particular self-discipline.” Leah Sindberg (CHS-Downers Grove PT ’25) echoed the significance of collaboration and mentioned the occasion “underscored the immense worth of interdisciplinary collaboration for each me and my sufferers.” Leah emphasised that the contributions of the speech-language pathology college students gave her perception into how Parkinson’s can have an effect on the sufferers’ listening to, swallowing, talking, and facial expressions. “As bodily remedy college students, we gained a deeper understanding of the methods addressing speech-related points seamlessly intertwines with bodily rehabilitation duties. This showcases the interconnectedness of assorted therapeutic approaches in affected person care,” Leah mentioned.
Ms. Ball shared she hoped the scholars would take away from this expertise “an elevated understanding of Parkinson’s total, and how you can work with an interdisciplinary staff.” Ms. Ball additionally mentioned the occasion was a chance for the scholars to fulfill 15 people with Parkinson’s and see the significance of personalizing the therapy for each, as not everybody with Parkinson’s is experiencing the identical points. As well as, the occasion “helps them to know the significance of group schooling and giving again to the group as effectively,” Ms. Ball mentioned.
Leah concurred that she gained a deeper understanding of working with people in several phases of Parkinson’s illness. “As a future healthcare skilled, this expertise broadened my perspective on the complexities of Parkinson’s illness and the varied wants of these affected by the illness.”
The bodily remedy college students and the speech-language pathology college students labored in pairs of two at 4 stations. Every station mentioned a special side of the impact of Parkinson’s illness on the physique, similar to sitting and standing, turning, concurrently strolling and speaking, bowel operate, sleep, and speech and voice. The attendees have been additionally given a ideas sheet to help with points affecting Parkinson’s together with stability, mobility and energy, cognition, listening to, swallowing, and provided recommendation for caregivers. Leah added she participated at three of the 4 stations, and her expertise included discussing sleep patterns and bowel and bladder operate with sufferers, assessing mobility and grip energy, and evaluating a flip check. Towards the top of the session, attendees have been requested to remember small items of knowledge that have been supplied to them, Ms. Ball mentioned.
Stacey Lane, PT, D.P.T., NCS, Scientific Teacher, Bodily Remedy Institute, mentioned, “The well being truthful gave college students a singular and interactive studying setting, whereas offering a chance to indicate initiative in planning and executing a group occasion. We have been so pleased with the best way they engaged with the individuals and self-reflected on their expertise.”
College students gained expertise working with people dwelling with Parkinsons and their caretaker as part of their path to turning into patient-centered healthcare professionals. Interdisciplinary collaboration and offering instructional alternatives whereas giving again to the group are among the many extra advantages of a Midwestern College schooling.
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