Becker, Betsy J.

Meyer, Kyle

Norman, Joseph F

Siu, Ka-Chun

English

University of Nebraska Medical Center Research: DigitalCommons@UNMC

University of Nebraska Medical Center DigitalCommons@UNMC Posters and Presentations: Physical Therapy Physical Therapy 2019 Global Initiative of the University of Nebraska Medical Center to Improve Physical Therapy Education, Care and Science in China Betsy J. Becker Joseph F. Norman Kyle Meyer Ka-Chun Siu Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/cahp_pt_pres  Part of the Physical Therapy Commons Global Initiative of the University of Nebraska Medical Center to Advance Physical Therapy Education, Care and Science in ChinaBetsy J. Becker, PhD, DPT, PT | Joseph F Norman, PhD, PT, CCS, FAACVPR | Kyle P. Meyer, PhD, MS, PT, FASAHP | Ka-Chun (Joseph) Siu, PhD, PTDivision of Physical Therapy Education, College of Allied Health Professions, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, Nebraska, United States Similar to the United States (US), an aging society, chronic diseases, workinjuries, motor vehicle accidents, and other health concerns have increased thedemand for physical rehabilitation in China. The Chinese government hasidentified the need for a comprehensive rehabilitation infrastructure as anational priority. Currently, there does not exist national education standards oran accreditation organization specific to the physical therapy (PT) profession inChina. A challenge in remedying this deficit in PT education and practice is theshortage of qualified, well-trained faculty. One of the goals of the globalinitiative at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) Division of PTEducation is to advance PT education, care, and science in China byeducating future PT educators and leaders.Methods In 2011, the UNMC Division of PT Education established a 4-year MS/DPTdual degree program to train students from China to learn both comprehensiveteaching (MS) and advanced clinical skills (DPT) in PT. These students, oftensupported by the Chinese Scholarship Council, begin their MS degree the firstyear while also acclimating to the new US learning environment. They enterthe DPT degree program their second year, and complete both degrees by theend of their fourth year. Additionally, the Division of PT Education affiliates withfive major institutions in China and Taiwan for faculty exchanges, participatesin the Sino-US PT Education Symposium, offers a summer program forprospective Chinese students, and organized a clinical experience in China forour DPT students.Outcomes Lessons Learned Several important lessons have been learned through this global initiative.Conclusion and Future Directions• Changes in PT education and practice in China will need to occur to meet the rapidly growing demand. • Support from international collaborators will facilitate the process. • UNMC is committed to assist individuals and institutions in the process through its ongoing collaborations and educational programs. • We are exploring expansion to different PT education programs, such as MS in Rehabilitation Sciences or PhD-DPT Dual degree, to educate future PT leaders in China and worldwide.• In exchange, the faculty and students in the UNMC Division of PT Education have benefited personally and professionally from this international experience and cultural exchange.Contact Information Ka-Chun (Joseph) Siu, PhDAssociate ProfessorGlobal Director, Chinese MS-DPT ProgramDivision of Physical Therapy EducationCollege of Allied Health Professionskcsiu@unmc.eduCurrently, there are 13 MS/DPT students matriculating in the program with sixadditional students to join this year. Of the five program graduates to date,three returned to China as University faculty and/or PT leaders in hospitals.The other two are obtaining additional clinical experience in the US as part oftheir optional practicum training. Ten UNMC PT faculty have presented inChina and two Chinese faculty have come to UNMC as part of our facultyexchange program. In 2016, UNMC co-sponsored the first Sino-US PTEducation Symposium in China with Tongji University. In addition, 22 studentsfrom China completed our summer education program, 4 DPT studentscompleted a clinical experience in China, and UNMC PT faculty travel to Chinaregularly to present and to enrich collaborations.Introduction & BackgroundBetsy J. Becker, PT, DPT, PhDAssociate ProfessorPhysical Therapy Program DirectorDivision of Physical Therapy EducationCollege of Allied Health Professionsbetsyj.becker@unmc.eduGlobal Collaboration Physical Therapy EducationScan for more informationMemorandums of Understanding with Universities in China & Taiwan(year signed)Students FacultyBuilding cross-cultural relationships takes time, effort and trust (at least 3-4 visits before a formal collaboration is established). Chinese students coming to US need additional training on the American healthcare system and communication before entering the DPT program. Having a bilingual faculty member as the Director of our Chinese program was critical to facilitate accurate communications. 123Sino-American Physical TherapyEducation Symposium (2016)Summer Program for Chinese Student  Education (2017)ChinaOmaha, Nebraska, United StatesUNMC Student Exchange to China pictured with US PT Faculty (2017)Professionalism Ceremony at UNMC (2019)Graduation of 1stChinese student (2015)45Success depends on this being identified as a University-wide initiative supported by leadership.We have a specific plan that matches resources to the outcomes while staying focused on achieving those outcomes.

Global Initiative of the University of Nebraska Medical Center to Improve Physical Therapy Education, Care and Science in China

https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1025&context=cahp_pt_pres

Global Initiative of the University of Nebraska Medical Center to Improve Physical Therapy Education, Care and Science in China

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University of Nebraska Medical Center Research: DigitalCommons@UNMC