PT in Other Countries
Next week we have a brown bag lunch presentation (BBL) by two students who participated in a medical volunteer trip to Honduras-which included some aspects of physical therapy. Although I don't know much about their particular experience yet (as the BBL is next week), it makes me wonder about PT opportunities in other countries.
I studied abroad in Madrid during my junior year for a total of five months. While I was there I learned a lot about other cultures, and even more about the language, but I regret not learning more about PT. I should have visited a clinic while I was there! Oh well. I'd be very interested to see how a person with a stroke is treated in Argentina, or a child with cerebral palsy learns to walk in Japan. I'd imagine that many aspects of PT are the same, whereas the cultural differences may impact treatments.
Last year we heard from a student who lived in Africa for one month working with a PT clinic. She emphasized that the hardest adjustment for her was how the patients did not emphasize punctuality for their "appointments" as she had expected. Patients would appear in the clinic whenever they had found a ride, or had taken care of other responsibilities at home. What a change from life here! I'd like to experience a more laid-back approach-although it may be frustrating at times.
Have you ever experienced PT in another country, or with another culture? What was it like?