Global Opportunities
Consistent with the University of Minnesota’s commitment to better prepare individuals for global interaction, the Program in Physical Therapy has implemented an initiative by which physical therapy students may exercise the option of engaging in an international clinical experience.
Global affiliation sites are selected through a partnership with the Program in Physical Therapy and the University of Minnesota Global Experience Program and are consistent with their American affiliation counterparts in providing high quality entry-level doctoral clinical education. Currently, a global experience is available on the South Sea island of Tutiula in American Samoa, at LBJ Tropical Medical Center. This medical center provides outpatient, inpatient and occasional home visits to all age groups and is currently involved in telerehabiliation clinics with Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Services in Minneapolis, MN and with the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington D.C.
Participation in a global affiliation is competitive and is dependent on the availability of appropriate sites. Applicants are screened, interviewed and once selected, are oriented to the expectations of the host organization/culture. Students will also have a program organizer and contact within the host country to assist with arrangements and to periodically monitor performance. Due to the extra time and organization global experiences incur, there is an extra fee involved. Scholarships are available on a competitive basis.
First Year Clerkship
The first year clerkship is 2 semesters in length. This opportunity has been made possible through a partnership between our Program and the Minnesota Masonic Home and the Jones Harrison Residence. This learning experience will be under the direct supervision of experienced clinical faculty and give students an introduction to patient care skills. It will also provide each student with the opportunity to combine theoretical skills with practical experience through clinical faculty presentations/discussions entitled “Patient of the Week” and assignments related to concurrent, didactic coursework. Beyond direct patient care exposure; students will also develop skills and knowledge related to the facilitation of exercise programs, restorative ambulation, and range of motion programs.
Second Year Clerkship
This clerkship consists of two separate rotations. The Fall experience is designed to familiarize the student with the roles of the physical therapist in an orthopedic outpatient setting, and as an educator and as a promoter of health and wellness. During this clerkship, student pairs are assigned to one clinical instructor at an outpatient orthopedic clinic in the community. Students will observe, participate in patient evaluations and treatments. This course will also contain lecture content and assignments to develop teaching/presentation skills. During this experience, students will provide health and wellness education to patients, caregivers and other health care professionals with diverse and multicultural backgrounds in a variety of community settings.
The Spring clerkship experience is designed to familiarize the student with the role of the physical therapist in a rehabilitation/acute care setting. Student pairs are assigned to one clinical instructor at a local hospital or rehabilitation center where they will observe, perform evaluations and practice treatment skills learned in their concurrent coursework. This clerkship will also expose students to the other disciplines involved in the rehabilitation process and assist them in gaining respect for and an understanding of the interdisciplinary team and its members.