The life of a doctor of physical therapy student is a blend of academic learning, hands-on experience, and personal growth. This article offers a glimpse into the semester journey of an IHP doctor of physical therapy student, highlighting the experiences that shape their journey.

Morning: Academic Learning

A typical day for a physical therapy student begins with academic coursework. In a flipped curricular model like the IHP's, students prepare in advance using several resources such as video guided lectures, guiding questions, and reading materials. This sets the foundation for classroom application activities.  

  • Interactive Classes: Sessions often start with active learning classroom discussion involving interactive ways to assess student preparation such as polling games, team-based discussions and group activities.  
  • Case-based learning: Students engage in case-based learning sessions, where each course is centered around patient case scenarios. Students then apply foundational, clinical, and behavioral content knowledge to solve real-world problems. This approach fosters critical thinking and collaborative skills.
  • Lab Work: A DPT program should incorporate laboratory work into the curriculum, allowing students to practice hands-on skills such as manual therapy techniques, patient assessment, and therapeutic exercises. Labs offer a safe environment to learn and make mistakes under the supervision of faculty.

Clinical Skills and Experiential Learning

Students get multiple opportunities to develop clinical skills in a safe environment prior to going into their full time clinical experiences. These include:

  • Simulation Labs: The MGH Institute of Health Professions DPT program utilizes simulation labs to help foster clinical decision-making skills among students. These labs mimic real-life clinical settings and scenarios, where students get to make real-time, in the moment clinical decisions in an ungraded and no stakes environment and get ample opportunities to receive feedback from experienced clinicians and faculty to improve their skills.
  • Integrated Clinical Experiences: Right from the beginning of Year 1, students are immersed in the clinical environment where they get to simultaneously observe real-life patient care in various acute, inpatient, and outpatient settings while taking didactic courses  These experiences are critical to allow students to make direct connections with what they learn in the classroom to what they see in the clinic.  
  • Specialty Electives: Students have the opportunity to take elective courses in areas of interest, such as sports physical therapy, pediatric physical therapy, manual therapy, complex medical conditions, adaptive sports or vestibular rehabilitation. These electives allow students to explore potential career paths and develop specialized skills.
  • Capstone Projects: Engagement in capstone projects under faculty mentorship allow students to get one on one mentorship from experienced faculty and allow students to contribute to the advancement of their field.

Evening: Study and Self-Care

The evenings of a physical therapy student might be spent studying and engaging in self-care activities. This time could involve:

  • Group Study Sessions: Collaborating with peers to review lecture notes, prepare for exams, or work on group assignments. These sessions reinforce learning and foster a sense of community among students.
  • Clinical Case Studies: Reviewing and analyzing clinical case studies to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios, preparing for clinical rotations.
  • Self-Care: Participating in physical activities, attending wellness workshops, or simply resting. Physical therapy programs are demanding, and maintaining physical and mental well-being is essential for success.

Clinical Rotations

A significant part of the doctor of physical therapy student experience involves clinical rotations, which may occur throughout the program or be concentrated in the final years. During rotations, students:

  • Apply Skills in Real Settings: Work under the supervision of licensed physical therapists in various settings, such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, and rehabilitation centers, applying their skills with real patients.
  • Experience Diverse Specialties: Are exposed to different specialties within physical therapy, gaining a well-rounded view of the profession.
  • Develop Professionalism: Learn to communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare teams, building the professionalism required in their future careers.