Service learning is “a method under which students learn and develop through active participation in thoughtfully organized service experiences that meet actual community needs, that are integrated into the student’s academic curriculum or provide structured time for reflection, and that enhance what is taught in school by extending student learning beyond the classroom and into the community” (Cauley K, et al. Service learning: integrating student learning and community service. Education for Health; 2001;14 (2):173-181.). The goal of the service learning program is to provide OSU DPT students with a combination of community and professional service opportunities that will enhance their DPT education and foster values consistent with the APTA’s core values.
Service Learning Groups
-
The Ohio State University School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Jameson Crane Sports Medicine Research Institute, and others in the Health Sciences Colleges (Medicine, Dentistry, Optometry, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing) participate in several outreach activities throughout the year directed at students in elementary, middle and high school whose purpose is to increase awareness of and interest in health science-related careers. Participants in this service learning group will help organize and put on several events through the school.
-
A grass-roots OSU DPT student-led group exercise class researched, designed, and executed by your very own 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year classmates started in January 2017. Assist with guarding clients with neurologic diagnoses, teaching portions of the class, modifying exercises for clients’ needs, and participating in theme-based fun (yes, dressing in the week’s ‘theme’ is highly encouraged!). Students will gain experience in leadership, mentorship (with other DPT classes), communication, and interpersonal skills, while applying physical therapy knowledge in a hands-on way in a nationally renowned top inpatient rehabilitation setting. Students will also have a chance to be a class leader if interested. Classes are every Tuesday afternoon from 4-4:30pm.
-
Faith Mission Clinic, located in downtown Columbus, provides a variety of services at no cost to individuals who are homeless including general medical, dental, pediatric, and vision services. Physical therapy consultative services are provided in the evening from 6:30-8:30 PM on the third Thursday of every month. Students will have opportunities to assess and provide education and home exercise programs to individuals from diverse backgrounds with orthopedic, neurologic, and cardiopulmonary impairments under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
-
Programs include a comprehensive, progressive balance class for community dwelling older adults, a group exercise program for our residents living with Parkinson’s Disease, small group exercise instruction for individuals with memory impairment, and evidenced based home exercise program instruction (OTAGO). Students will gain experience in leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, while applying physical therapy knowledge in a hands-on way. Assist with guarding, teaching portions of the class, educating participants on a variety of health and wellness topics, and administering pre and post class balance assessments, track and monitor resident home exercise performance and compliance. Students will also have a chance to be a class leader if interested. Hours spread across Autumn, Spring and Summer semesters.
-
The Goodwill Columbus Health & Wellness Program serves adults with developmental disabilities, including those in the SAGE program who are 45 years or older. The Health and Wellness Program provides access to adaptive exercise equipment, health screenings, diet and nutrition classes, and health education that will help to deter preventable illness. Service activities include activity classes such as yoga, volleyball, walking club, and dance, as well as hands-on assistance in the weight room, all under the direction of a wellness coordinator. Activities are ongoing throughout each week, and have a varied schedule across Autumn and Spring semesters with some summer activities available.
-
Fore Hope is a therapeutic golf program for people with disabilities, including stroke, Parkinson’s disease, brain injury, amputations and much more. Goals of the program are to improve mobility, balance, strength, endurance, problem solving, decision making and social support. The program is led by a recreational therapist and a professional golf instructor. OhioHealth physical therapist participates weekly to support participants play and practice golf. This includes but is not limited to warm up exercises, guarding for patients at fall risk, teeing up balls, transferring patients.
-
“MS Wellness Program” is a twelve-week fitness program at McConnell Heart Health Center for people diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis with an EDSS of <3.5 (ambulatory without a device) designed to improve strength, balance and endurance. Twice per week exercise component, led by a physical therapist and exercise physiologist, consists of cardiovascular exercise, flexibility, balance and strength training. Once weekly the exercise session will be accompanied with an educational session provided each week by various medical professionals covering topics such as nutrition, medication, mental health, energy conservation, recreation, cooking, bowel/bladder and more. Initial and final sessions of the twelve week series consists of orientation and outcome measure assessments. Students will participate in the outcome sessions by assisting with participant flow, administering of surveys or performing outcome measures. On-going weekly, students will assist with class set-up, participant flow, exercise instruction assistance and monitoring participant needs.
“Continuation MS Fitness Group” is held at John J. Gerlach Center for people with MS who have completed the McConnell 12 week MS Wellness Program. This twice per week fitness class is led by a physical therapist.
-
Twelve week group exercise program for stroke survivors designed to improve participants’ strength, balance and endurance. A second objective of the program is to assist participants in assuming responsibility for their health by providing education and skills necessary to continue exercising safely and independently over a lifetime. The fitness classes are led by a physical therapy assistant and exercise physiologist. Initial and final sessions of the twelve week series consists of orientation and outcome measure assessments. Students will participate in the outcome sessions by assisting with participant flow, administering of surveys or performing outcome measures. On-going weekly, students will assist with class set-up, participant flow, exercise instruction assistance and monitoring participant needs.
-
Kidsport offers adapted gymnastics classes for children with special needs up to age 18. Gymnastics curricula are adapted to allow the children to experience motor activities in a supportive and fun environment. To make this program a success, we need volunteers to assist the students. Classes are held every Sunday from 4-5 pm, starting in September. Sessions run during OSU academic semesters. The classes are designed by pediatric physical therapists with experience in working with children with special needs. Buckeye Gymnastics instructors assist with class instruction and volunteer training. Common diagnoses seen in the program include Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, and global developmental delay. Volunteers provide direct assistance to children during the classes to support their participation and maintain safety. Volunteers will receive training in how to guide the children through gymnastics circuits and spot them for safety. Gymnastics experience is not required, however, volunteers should feel comfortable interacting with children with special needs.
-
Events include volunteering with the Columbus Sports Classic in May and FUNfitness Screens at the Ohio Special Olympics State games the end of June. The Columbus Sports Classic is a multi-sport event held every year at Whetstone HS. Students volunteer for a variety of positions and sports including, but not limited to Bocce Ball, Track, Weight Lifting, Tennis, Soft Ball Toss, and Volleyball. FUNfitness, the fitness event developed in collaboration with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) for Special Olympics (SOI) Healthy Athletes® provide fitness screens to special needs athletes. The screening also provides instruction to participants about how to stretch, strengthen and improve balance and fitness. Physical therapist assistants and physical therapist or physical therapist assistant students assist physical therapists in various aspects of the event. Beyond these two 8-hour events, additional opportunities exist throughout the year to volunteer with other county and state Special Olympics teams.
-
The Adaptive Adventure Sports Coalition, TAASC, brings outdoor activities such as alpine skiing and snowboarding, water skiing, kayaking, cycling, fishing, sailing, ice skating and other sports opportunities to individuals having a disability and their family. Students assist in actual sporting events as well as open houses and training events. Events are seasonal. Water events occur from June – October, including a three-day water skiing event in summer. Kayaking occurs for several different groups, with morning and afternoon/evening hours, as well as some weekends. Snow sports run primarily in Jan-Feb, with many ski Saturdays at Snow Trails and Mad River Mountain.
The Ohio State University Student Therapy Clinic is a full-service clinic, offering physical therapy services to uninsured and underinsured residents of Central Ohio free of charge. Services include a free examination and diagnosis, as well as the development of a personalized treatment plan to address impairments and limitations of neuromuscular, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems. All physical therapy services are provided by graduate students in the Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program at The Ohio State University, under the supervision of licensed physical therapists. The clinic is co-sponsored by Primary One Health and The Ohio State University Physical Therapy Program.
Each Fall Semester, DPT students embark on an unforgettable service learning course to Yucatan, Mexico. The first-of-its-kind elective course for Ohio State DPT students is supported by faculty members Anne Kloos, PT, PhD, NCS and Laura Schmitt, PT, DPT, PhD and other physical therapists who serve as clinical instructors.