Mentors: David Witman, PT, Atlanta Rehabilitation and Performance Center
Physical therapy holds an important role in healthcare, and research continues to develop and change the field of rehabilitation. The reduction of fall risk is within the scope of a physical therapist. Although this is just one example, it holds many parallels to all other treatment plans. Among the most important aspects of fall risk management and patient care in general are individualized treatment plans and strength exercises. The development of an individualized plan of care is extremely important. Each patient has different needs, and to individualize a treatment plan is to accelerate the recovery and rehabilitation process. Elements such as strength, balance, gait, reaction time, and range of motion are evaluated before the development of each plan of care. This avoids a “one-size-fits-all” or “cookie-cutter” plan. The majority of this research focuses on the use of evaluation and individualized plans of care in order to better serve patients, all within the scope of the physical therapist.
Project Website:https://sarahburchfieldhmp.weebly.com/