DPT Portfolios

Professional Goal

My goal is to become an experienced clinician that integrates evidence-based practice into my clinical skills through my work with patients with neurological disorders and conditions, specifically Multiple Sclerosis. I hope to get my PhD in Human and Movement Sciences after a few years of practice with a concentration on neurological disorders and conditions so I may help influence and build upon the clinical methodologies utilized in the clinic. I aspire to not only perfect my clinical skills, but transition clinical questions into good research questions that can then be re-transitioned into the clinic. Additionally, I hope to help build a strong interdisciplinary team in my work place, such as an MS clinic.

Career Plan Overview

After completing the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at UNC, I hope to continue on to get my PhD in Human and Movement Sciences with a concentration on neurological disorders and conditions, specifically, Multiple Sclerosis. I hope to take the appropriate electives my third year in preparation for this transition into the PhD program. However, I hope to be able to work part-time in a clinic while getting my PhD because I believe I need to have the clinical experience to compliment my PhD work. My hope is to complete my PhD in about 5 years while working part-time in a neuro PT clinic.

Career Plan:

• BS in Exercise Science from the University of New Hampshire (UNH) 2010
• Platform presentation at the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) New England Chapter 2010 fall regional conference (Providence, RI)
• Platform presentation at the ACSM 2011 national conference (Denver, Co)
• Platform presentation at the ACSM 2012 New England Chapter 2012 regional conference (Providence, RI)
• Join the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and maintain membership
• 2013 scholarship recipient of the MS Standardized Training and Education Program with University Partners (MS STEP UP)
• Outpatient orthopedic clinical rotation – Summer 2013
• Acute care clinical rotation – Spring 2014
• Outpatient Neuro MS-focused clinical rotation – Spring 2014
• Conduct a single-subject study on the effects of an 8-week self-efficacy plus exercise intervention on an individual with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis
• Submit abstract for study to the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC)
• Rounds presentation on MS – Jan 2015
• Inpatient neuro clinical rotation – Summer 2015
• Platform presentation at the CMSC 2015 National conference (Indianapolis, Indiana)
• Write full manuscript for study and submit to the Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy (JNPT)
• Graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with my Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree on Aug 1, 2015
• Become hired as a neuro PT at an outpatient or inpatient clinic that sees a lot of patients with MS
• Ongoing clinical education and professional development
• Receive my Multiple Sclerosis Certified Specialist (MSCS) certification
• Work for 2-3 years
• Enroll in a PhD program
• Work part time in a clinic while working to get my PhD

Areas of Interest:

• Interdisciplinary practice for patients with Multiple Sclerosis
• Optimizing the sustainability of gains made through physical therapy for patients with MS
• Improving self-efficacy to exercise and over-come disease-related barriers as a component in rehab for patients with MS
• Strategies to improve self-efficacy to exercise and over-come disease-related barriers in individuals with low self-efficacy
• Feasibility of integrating self-efficacy screening and building strategies into the interdisciplinary team

Objectives:

• By graduation, I should be able to explain to a group of peers, so they are able to replicate the information, strategies to help increase self-efficacy in the clinic.
• By graduation, I should be able to explain to a group of peers, so they are able to replicate the information, different outcome measures to use to identify patients with high, medium and low self-efficacy (should include cut-off scores and meaningful detectable change).
• By graduation, I should be able to write down the role each healthcare provider plays in treating an individual with MS (on the entire spectrum of the disease).

Strategies for Addressing Development Needs and Interests

• Shadowing experiences with neurologists that work with patients with MS
• Shadowing experiences with certain Primary Investigators (ie. Dr. Albert Lo in RI)
• Shadowing experiences at the MS Center in Charlotte – reach out to new MS neurologist

Examples of my Work from the Program:

• Rounds presentation on MS – Jan 2015
• Designed and conducted a single-subject study on the effects of an 8-week self-efficacy plus exercise intervention in an indusial with secondary progressive MS on exercise participation, quality of life and depression
• Platform presentation at the CMSC 2015 National conference (Indianapolis, Indiana) – May 2015

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