The Monday Memo

October 22, 2012                                                                                       PITT DPT STUDENTS

Our Mantra

Without a doubt, there are apparent observational differences between the 1st, 2nd and 3rd year students within the DPT program at the University of Pittsburgh. Whether it be the psychomotor skills, clinical reasoning abilities or just plain confidence in the practice setting, dramatic developmental changes take place throughout the well designed curriculum. Yet, one consistent thread, other than the pride for our school, still strongly links us all: our mantra.

Our mantra isn’t rooted in religion or rhythmic chants, but it is our ‘instrument of thought’. Taught early in Musculoskeletal I, students build their foundation for a clinical examination on the basic principles of the mantra: observation, range of motion, strength, neurological screening, accessory joint motion and special tests. Generally, this mantra is recited, rehearsed and reproduced repeatedly throughout the 1st year on practical exams and clinical evaluations. This enables complete familiarity with the components and a strong foundation. During the 2nd year, pattern recognition develops and with it comes better selection of which tests to perform and which to omit. During the 3rd year, the mantra remains but the selection process is refined; referred back to when patient presentations are complicated.

This profession requires us to be life-long learners and encourages us continually look for ways to improve our practice.  We’ll continue to attend continuing education courses, confer with collegues and in order to expand our knowledge for years after graduating. Many times, clinicians report experiencing a ‘dip’ in their performance upon graduating- claiming they have learned so many tidbits from various sources, that it’s hard to remember the whole picture. Not to say we’re impervious to that happening, but what sets Pitt students apart is that when the going gets tough, the tough remember their mantra.

Social Media Updates

• Unite Physical Therapy Students - If you haven’t yet, please check out the “Doctor of Physical Therapy Students” Facebook page. Over 3,000 students have already joined!
• Our own page! Pitt Physical Therapy, thanks to the Social Media Team, has create an official PittPT Facebook page!
• #SolvePT (meets on Twitter from 9-10pm EST) This week’s topic: Struggling Professionally? Where Do You Turn?

Mark Your Calendars!

(Students – also check the Calendar) Please keep checking this calendar for upcoming deadlines, syllabus changes and events!

2nd Year Students:

• Wednesday, Oct. 24- Year-Long Interviews - please arrive 10min prior to your scheduled time to complete paperwork
• Thursday, Oct. 25 – Health and Wellness - No Class: Quiz #3 due on CourseWeb
• Thursday, Oct. 25 - Health and Wellness - Annotated Bibliography due

Everyone

• Friday, Oct. 26 – PT Rounds - First half of alphabet
• Sat and Sun, Oct. 27 – 28 - PPTA Annual Conference- Lancaster, PA

Extras!

• November 2 – 4 - National Student Conclave! It’s been estimated that the PTGSA will be able to reimburse up to $150 per person! Keep those receipts!