UPPER SAUCON TWP., Pa — Those needing physical therapy, but who may not be able to afford it, now can take part in a free clinic at DeSales University.
Students in the second and third year of the doctor of physical therapy program will treat patients, pro bono, twice a week starting Monday, March 13.
The DeSales Community Wellness and Physical Therapy Clinic will offer services to children and adults who are uninsured or underinsured.
- A free physical therapy clinic will be offered at DeSales University starting Monday, March 13
- Services are being provided pro bono by second- and third-year students in the physical therapy program
- People who are uninsured or underinsured can call for an appointment
"Otherwise there are lots of folks in our community of Lehigh Valley that have may have insurance but they have limited number of physical therapy visits, especially people that have longstanding chronic conditions,” program Director Kay Malek said.
The clinic will be Mondays and Wednesdays throughout the year in the lower level of Chappuis Hall on the University’s Center Valley campus.
Appointments can be booked by calling the clinic at 610-282-2665 or by email at dptclinic@desales.edu.
'Students need to learn to deliver care'
Malek said the program is for people with movement- or function-related issues.
“Any kind of pain problems, any kind of limitations and movement,” Malek said.
“People that have balance and falls issues, particular populations like those with Parkinson's disease, heart disease, diabetes, children with cerebral palsy or Down syndrome, those would be in or any other neurologic kinds of conditions."
"Our students are in a situation where they need to learn how to deliver care prior to going out to their full time clinicals and there are people out there that need care that they don't have access to.”Kay Malek, director of the DPT program, DeSales University
Malek said hands-on experience is an important part of the learning process.
"Our students are in a situation where they need to learn how to deliver care prior to going out to their full-time clinicals and there are people out there that need care that they don't have access to,” she said.
Able to accommodate 8-12 patients
Jessica Watson, an assistant professor for DeSales University's doctor in physical therapy program, said, “this is going to even allow our undergraduate three-plus-three students to come in and observe our current DPT students that are doing the direct care with those clients.
"And be able to offer mentorship to those up-and-coming individuals that are going to be studying in our PT program.”
Watson said a student executive board also is in place to help keep the clinic organized and give those students involved a chance to grow their leadership skills.
"We'll be able to accommodate between eight and 12 patients on the caseload if they're being seen twice a week," she said.
"So part of that, leadership-wise, for the students will be, they'll be determining the plan of care for these individuals.”
