Journey of a DPT Student : orthopedics

Competency Exams

Lauren Rosso — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:34:00 GMT

I have less than four days to finalize my preparation for what is hopefully my final exam in Pitt's DPT program. I'll admit that I've spent slightly less time than I should have preparing for these, but I think I'll be OK. I've tried to get through as...(read more)

Owning a Theoretical PT Practice

Lauren Rosso — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 17:58:00 GMT

As part of a very in-depth project for our "Leadership and Professional Development" course, I'm in charge of justifying the purchase of an electronic health record (EHR) for our theoretical outpatient private practice. I've been spending a lot of time...(read more)

Yearlong Placements at Last

Lauren Rosso — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:34:00 GMT

Four months of waiting are finally over -- I finally received word about where I'll be for my yearlong clinical. It took every ounce of maturity and focus not to have a breakdown while I was waiting, but I'm happy that I kept myself together because I...(read more)

The Skype Diagnosis

Lauren Rosso — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 15:30:00 GMT

This weekend I had to stretch my already-struggling assessment skills to the virtual world during a Skype session with my uncle. He's been having shoulder pain for the past few weeks and sought out my opinion via e-mail. We chatted back and forth about...(read more)

Reflections on a Student's First CSM

Lauren Rosso — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 23:36:00 GMT

I just returned from my first trip to the APTA's Combined Sections Meeting, and I'm left with a variety of feelings about the experience. Overall, I would consider the trip a success, but there were definitely some aspects of CSM that left something to...(read more)

Combined Sections Meeting

Lauren Rosso — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 21:20:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- I arrived here on Saturday afternoon and have since had the most fantastic time reconnecting with old friends and enjoying the beautiful weather. (Side note- it's really not warm enough to lie on the beach in a bathing suit, but I suffered...(read more)

Organizing Notes -- What Do I Keep?

Lauren Rosso — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 19:53:00 GMT

I spent the better half of yesterday trying to organize the notes and lecture materials I've accumulated since starting PT school. I'm amazed by a lot of things, mostly the amount of knowledge that has been imparted upon us in such a short period of time,...(read more)

Final Projects -- Performance Improvement

Lauren Rosso — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 17:46:00 GMT

We recently had to attend the third year's presentations of their performance-improvement projects, the final requirement of the program and what looks like the most frustrating assignment to date. The annual project basically populates an existing database...(read more)

Musculoskeletal Competency Exam

Lauren Rosso — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 18:10:00 GMT

On Thursday morning, please send positive vibes my way. At 8:30 a.m., I'll be working my way through my first true competency practical. The exam will reflect basically everything we've learned in our musculoskeletal course series over the past year and...(read more)

Interview Reflections

Lauren Rosso — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:43:00 GMT

I'm happy to report that I'm confident and satisfied with the way my interviews unfolded, despite my absurd level of nervousness beforehand. I had three interviews in total, and by the time the last was over I wanted to walk out and high-five everyone....(read more)

When a Patient Refuses to Work with a Student

Lauren Rosso — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 19:11:00 GMT

I guess my initiation as a PT student is finally complete -- today was the first time a patient refused to work with me after I informed him that I was a student. In a way, I'm surprised it's taken a year and a half for that to happen. At the same time,...(read more)

How to Decide on a Clinical Placement

Lauren Rosso — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 15:42:00 GMT

At the end of October, we start the interview process that will ultimately determine our clinical rotations during our third year. In my program, the final year of the program is entirely clinical with either two six- month placements or one 12-month...(read more)

The Adjustment -- Back to Classes

Lauren Rosso — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 19:05:00 GMT

Today we start back to class after what felt like the fastest two months of the entire program. Our summer classes ended in June, followed by a six-week clinical rotation and three-week break. The clinical was our first full-time placement and thus the...(read more)

Interdisciplinary Exposure for PT Students

Lauren Rosso — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 20:32:00 GMT

Yesterday, I had an hour-long conversation with my rugby coach about what he, as a chiropractor, does with his patients. I have never been to a chiropractor and therefore know very little about their scope of practice. I have to say that I was surprised...(read more)

Finding Clinical Relevance in Class Material

Lauren Rosso — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 14:40:00 GMT

Our first biomechanics course of the program started this semester, and there was an overwhelming sense of dread throughout the class before we began. I think a lot of people, myself included, are intimidated by the mathematics involved. To my surprise,...(read more)