Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH).

Wockhardt physical therapy leader completes observership program in Boston

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

PHMI continues to develop Boston-based clinical observership programs that offer medical professionals at our client organizations the opportunity to improve quality of care at their home institution.

In October 2008, Ms. Leena Phadnis BSc (PT) DHA, Head of Department of Physical Therapy at Wockhardt Hospital Mulund, completed a three-week clinical observership at the Harvard Medical School-affiliated Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital (SRH) and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). The program was designed to provide Ms. Phadnis with a greater understanding of evidence-based practice, the latest trends of clinical treatments in all specialties of physiotherapy, and the management of patient care. As part of the observership program, Ms. Phadnis also participated in two courses on orthopedics and physical therapy through the Department of Continuing Education at Harvard Medical School.

Under the mentorship of Mr. Christopher Diehl, PT, MPT, Director of Physical Therapy and head of programs in musculoskeletal health and spinal cord injuries at SRH, Ms. Phadnis’ two-week program exposed her to clinical practices and managerial operations across the hospital. She observed various evidence-based practices, including assessment modules for physiotherapy and treatments in orthopedic, neurological, brain injury, spinal injury, and amputation rehabilitation. Mr. Diehl also introduced her to the technology offered at SRH, such as the electro-therapeutic equipment NESS L300 by Bioness, which is a functional electrical simulation system designed to help patients with neurological disorders affecting the lower extremities, as well as the Lokomat system by Hocoma, which is used to assist with movements and improve mobility in individuals who have suffered a stroke, spinal cord injury, or other neurological disease or injury.

“My experience at SRH was excellent,” said Ms. Phadnis. “Mr. Diehl had a thorough plan and showed me everything he possibly could to ensure that all my expectations were met.”

During the program at the Department of Physical Therapy at the MGH, which was hosted by Clinical Education Coordinator Ms. Ann Jampel, MEd at the Wang Ambulatory Center, Ms. Phadnis was mentored by various inpatient and outpatient clinical directors and specialists in neurology, oncology, pediatrics and orthopedics, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. “The program was very resourceful, structured, and intensive, and I was learning so much everyday,” said Ms. Phadnis.

Upon her return to India, Ms. Phadnis plans to incorporate her newly acquired skills and knowledge across the Wockhardt Hospital network. Her main goals include initiating standardization of practice and assessment in patient care, promoting patient and family education, and providing staff training and professional development, with her overall objective to deliver superior care in physiotherapy.

Written by Susan (Shu-Yen) Lin for PHMI World. Susan is a Program Assistant in the Global Programs group at Partners Harvard Medical International.