The China Experience:
An Educational and Clinical Exchange of Eastern and Western Physical Rehabilitation Practices
Authors: Petrosino, C., Shurig, MA., Bryant, S., Flora, V., McGowan, J., Wahl, A.
A delegation of four Doctor of Physical Therapy students and one faculty member from the Krannert School of Physical Therapy (KSPT) at the University of Indianapolis traveled to China in May of 2007. A community-based capstone project was conducted with a mission to observe and document cultural experiences while providing a mutual educational exchange for the KSPT delegation and Chinese students and faculty. Presentations on spinal stabilization given by the delegation provided current evidence-based trends of the Western physical therapy profession. Development of the interactive educational sessions included a thorough literature review of the culture, preparation of culturally sensitive presentations for select audiences, and the collection of data throughout the experience for analysis.
Study Description
A literature search was performed on the history and culture of China prior to the trip. The students focused their research on cultural sensitivity, traditional Chinese medicine practices, and current rehabilitation techniques in China. Funding for the trip was sought through University grants and private fundraising. From the initiation of the project, each group member independently documented their experience during the literature review, collection of funds, development of lectures, travel arrangement planning, experiences in China, and return from the trip. Data collection of observations while in China gave rich descriptions of the experience while reflective field notes gave individual interpretations. From the collected data, all information was transcribed into a Word document for analysis in a computerized qualitative assessment software program (NVivo 7.0). Common themes were developed from the observations and reflective notes of the delegation. A manuscript was produced reflecting the interactions, experiences, and knowledge exchanged between the KSPT delegation and Chinese students and faculty members. Through individual analysis by group members and coding of textual data into convergent and divergent themes, followed by aggregating convergent themes by group consensus, the most salient findings were elucidated.
Discussion & Conclusions
Exchanging knowledge and gaining understanding between Western and Eastern healthcare methods exposed both parties to specific treatment techniques and philosophies of care that will potentially lead to more effective, integrated treatment approaches to physical rehabilitation. As a community-based project for professional program students, the invaluable cultural experience enabled students to glean greater insight of and appreciation for diversity and culture that will influence their personal and professional endeavors. This project can inform future community-based, service learning, and cultural experiences for professional program students and faculty.
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