SSIG

2006 Fall Conference SSIG Panel:
“Making the Most Out of Your Clinical Experience”

A panel of eight experienced clinical instructors answered the following questions for students regarding their clinical experience:

1. When is a good time to ask your CI questions?
Consult your CI ahead of time to find out what they prefer (asking during treatment sessions, after sessions, etc.). It may depend on the patient and what your relationship is with them – whether or not you are treating them independently, co-treating with your CI, observing.

2. What are some characteristics of a student you would hire?
• a student who is always on time and prepared
• a student who is receptive to learning from CI feedback
• responsible
• self-motivated
• a student who gets along well with others and is flexible
• a student who is able to adapt to different situations easily
• recognizing that we are a service-oriented profession – deliver your skills as a service
• important to be a member of the APTA

3. How does a CI prepare for having a student?
• Review student info
• Prepare orientation information
• Correspond with the student (it is important to contact your CI ahead of time)
• Preparing learning profile assessments

4. What do you expect of students? How do your expectations differ depending on student experience?
• More is expected of students on later clinicals (#4 vs. #1)
• CI’s will make sure you’re ready to become a member of the profession (they owe it to our profession to push you to experience difficult situations)
• don’t set yourself up to lower the bar – CI’s know this is a new experience for you, so don’t be afraid to use all of your available resources
• Professionalism is important
• Set goals ahead of time that are specific to the setting

5. What do you suggest for reflection or preparation at the beginning of the day?
• Ask yourself in-depth questions about what you desire from this experience
• Set aside time to discuss issues and situations with your CI

6. How do you suggest a student attains professional growth?
• Always have goals to aspire to
• Find a mentor
• Be a member of the APTA
• Commit to lifelong learning and continue to build your skills throughout your career
• Aspire to evidence-based practice
• Continue your education and do more than the required minimum
• Build your network of professional contacts
• Connect with people in the profession with common interests
• Bring what you learn from continuing education back to your worksite

7. If you and your CI have a conflict of interest, what is the best way to approach them?
• Do not do it in front of a patient
• Be direct
• Don’t be afraid to approach your CI – just make sure you can explain your reasoning
• Your CI wants to learn from you, too!

8. Can you ask patients for feedback about how you are doing?
• Read your patient – sometimes it is OK, sometimes it is not
• Be careful – you don’t want to give the impression that you are unsure about what you are doing to the patient.
• Don’t ask your patient to compare you to your CI; instead, ask the patient if they feel comfortable and/or safe

9. How should you prepare for the board exam?
• Review books and courses
• Practice exams

	Emily Soiney, a recent graduate from the University of MN, developed a new adaptive yoga class for kids. Pictured here are children and student assistants have fun pretending to be different shaped cacti on the desert theme day.

Student Members Getting Involved
Meagan Binenstock, SPT, SSIG chair
As students we are able to gain experience working with people during our clerkships and clinical affiliations, but there are also many opportunities that we have for providing community service outside of our academics and research. It is through these opportunities that we are able to make a difference in someone’s day, gain valuable hands-on experience, meet new people and have fun!

Some of the volunteer opportunities that students from the University of Minnesota participate in include the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in April, Special Olympics Fun Fitness Event June 24th, National Wheelchair Games June 29th, Courage Kids Yoga Class in Burnsville, Capernaum’s Adaptive T-Ball program and the Phillips Neighborhood Clinic just to name a few. The Phillips Neighborhood Clinic is a student-run, physician supervised medical clinic that delivers affordable care to the underinsured of the Phillips community. The clinic is a joint effort of the students and faculty of the U of M Academic Health Center, Center for Health Interdisciplinary Programs, and the Community University Health Care Center. Students from the U of M also volunteer one Tuesday a month at the Diabetic Foot Care Clinic, which is housed in the diabetic clinic provided by Indian Health Services in Minneapolis. Students are performing foot screens, providing foot and wound care, as well as educating clients regarding proper foot care for people with diabetes.

The Student Special Interest Group will be planning some volunteer opportunities throughout the next year. If you are interested in getting involved or have ideas for us, please email me at binen002@umn.edu!

Making the Transition from Student to Professional
The Student Special Interest Group is putting together a panel of recent graduates for an informal question and answer session at Fall Conference SSIG meeting. All students are invited to attend the meeting from 5-6 p.m. on October 15. Even if you are unable to make the conference, you are still welcome to attend this meeting for FREE!

We are looking for recent graduates to answer PT/PTA students’ questions regarding your career experiences, clinicals, advice for studying for Boards, etc. If you are planning on attending the conference and would be willing to join the panel, please call Meagan Binenstock (SSIG Chair) at 612-590-3685 or e-mail binen002@umn.edu

Become Involved
Joey DeVlieger
Question:  Would you pay someone money not knowing what he or she is going to do with it or what it will amount to?  Answer: Of course not! 

Hats off to those students who are not standing on the sidelines, but are getting involved with the association.  After all, it makes no sense if you are just “giving away” your money without knowing or being a part of the end result.  There are many ways to become involved, and you do not have to sell your soul to the association.  SSIG encourages you to just have an active part.  Options: become a SSIG executive board member, join a committee, or if you’re completely unsure, ask a professor how you can get involved, or contact us below (especially if you are just wanting to give your money away, J).  Last, if you have never been to an APTA Combined Sections Meeting, get there by any means necessary.  It is a great experience for any student. 

Goals
Increase student membership in the APTA
Have at least one student serve on each committee of the MN APTA
Increase student involvement in the MN APTA and SSIG

Meetings
The SSIG will meet at both the Fall and Spring MN APTA Conferences.  We invite all PT and PTA students to attend and get involved in our group.

This group was created for us, the students of the profession to serve our interests.  We encourage all PT and PTA students to get involved.  Please feel free to contact any of the Officers at any time with questions, comments and suggestions.  We want to hear from you!