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New Technology Helps with Decision Making for Surgery for Children with Cerebral Palsy

2016-11-13 Olivia's Place Comments Off , ,
Lis Ringrose, Physiotherapist, Chief Therapy Officer, LIH Olivia's Place

Lis Ringrose, Physiotherapist, Chief Therapy Officer, LIH Olivia’s Place

Due increased muscle spasticity, children with cerebral palsy (CP) often develop muscle contractures (shortening) and skeletal malalignment (where bones grow at a slightly abnormal angle or hip joints do not form properly). These can affect the functional abilities of a child. For example, because they are unable to straighten their knees fully they have difficulty balancing on one leg and kicking a ball. Or because their hips and knees are unable to straighten fully they can only walk slowly and with difficulty. Usually these challenges can be addressed by physical therapy through specific exercises and activities. However, it is sometimes decided that further intervention is needed if these contractures and malalignments are too significant to be treated just by physical therapy. The first step to consider is conservative treatment such as Botox. However, at times, surgery is necessary to help correct the muscles and/or bony structure.

Orthopedic surgery should not be decided upon lightly and is a decision best informed with the most amount of information possible. Firstly, the desired outcome of the surgery should be considered. Functional information should also be taken into account; what can’t the child do now that he/she wants to do and will surgery help? Are the child and the family willing to undertake the short-term discomfort of surgery and challenge of extra therapy for a long-term gain? Finally, detailed information about the child’s biomechanics (how they move) should be gathered to aid the decision of whether to proceed with surgery, but also, exactly what surgery to do. This information can be gathered by the child’s physical therapist – length of muscles, strength of muscles, and functional skills using compensatory movements. It can also be gathered through a formal gait (walking) analysis which looks in more detail at the action of walking. From this information, conclusions can be drawn that give more detail about how muscles are working and where the strengths and weaknesses are. Gait analysis is best done in a gait lab with specialist equipment; however, there are also now apps for rehabilitation professionals that can be used on iPads and tablets. Physical therapists (PT) are also trained to analyze movement by observation. Gait analysis both in a formal lab setting and through observation by the PT aims to gather information not just about what movements a child can do but how the child does those movements.

Regardless of the amount of information collected prior to surgery, the outcome of orthopedic surgery for children with cerebral palsy is still not always predictable. Some children respond very well and their function is greatly improved. Others can have little if any improvement which is disappointing for both the child and family given the effort that is put in for the surgery and recovery. Recently, a new piece of equipment has been developed to add even more detail to the information that can be collected and used during the decision making process. It is able to analyze the ‘how’ of movement in even more depth.

walk-dmc‘Walk-DMC’ (DMC meaning Dynamic Motor Control) uses electromyography (EMG). Electrodes are placed on the skin over the muscle groups that need to be analyzed and feedback detailed information not just about whether the muscles are working but also when and how much. Comparing the information collected to a ‘typical’ set of information, it can determine the level of muscle control. This can then inform what surgery would be beneficial and which would not. Through collecting data from over 400 children before and after orthopedic surgery, it has been found that those with better muscle control have better outcomes following surgery. With the information collected from Walk-DMC, a child’s team can have this information prior to surgery to help in the decision making process.

This technological development to help clinical decisions has much potential. Researchers plan to collect more information to help with more objective decision making for different types of orthopedic surgery for children differently affected by cerebral palsy. They also plan to monitor children who have less typical movement patterns to discover if corrective orthopedic surgery allows for change in movement patterns to become more ‘normal’ even at older ages. Other than monitoring the outcomes of surgery, the Walk-DMC could also be used to gather information on other treatment approaches that rehabilitation professionals, such as PTs and Occupational Therapists (OT), use in treating children with CP to discover which are most effective at leading to the best movement control.

Walk-DMC is a new development in the move towards providing more targeted, indivualized treatment for children with CP. It is currently not widely available but as it is using already common technology in a new way, the developers hope that is won’t be long until more people can be trained in its use and it can be more widely available.

Original article:
Schwartz MH, Rozumalski A and Steele K, Dynamic motor control is associated with treatment outcomes for children with cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology; Volume 58, Issue 11, pp 1139-1145. November 2016
Other sources:
Langston J, University of Washington Today, Walk- DMC Aims to Improve Surgery Outcomes for Children with Cerebral Palsy. 27 April 2016


Physical Therapy Team Trains Therapists in Kunshan

2016-10-05 Olivia's Place Comments Off , , , , , ,

Physical Therapists Ilija Dimitrovski and ZiLi Wang recently trained therapy staff at Kunshan’s Jiajie Rehabilitation Center. The center is affiliated with the China Disabled Persons’ Federation and serves as an important resource for children needing rehabilitation, especially children with cerebral palsy or autism. Staff at the facility include physical and occupational therapists as well as speech therapists and learning support. The training provided by the LIH Olivia’s Place team focused on improving the staff’s ability to plan treatment and introduced new standardized assessment tools, as well as teaching specific techniques for children with cerebral palsy. Feedback from the course was positive, with the center’s president, Dr. Shao Ping, looking for continued partnership with LIH Olivia’s Place, including receiving occupational therapy and speech therapy experts for additional training in the future.

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LIH Olivia’s Place PT Speaks at CARM Exercise Therapy Congress

2016-07-26 Olivia's Place Comments Off , , , , , ,

Marc 1The 14th annual Exercise Therapy Congress organized by the Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine (CARM) was held in Chengdu this year from July 16th – 17th. The 2-day conference saw speakers from all over China, the CARM leadership, as well as guest speakers from Canada and Germany present on the latest developments in the field of exercise therapy.

Marc 2Marc Innerhofer, LIH Olivia’s Place Physical Therapist (Beijing clinic) was invited by Du Qing (杜青), Director of the Rehabilitation Department at Shanghai Xin Hua hospital (上海新华医院), to deliver a talk on “Physical Therapy Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder” as part of a sub-series of talks relating to the field of pediatric rehabilitation.

The presentation was well received by local therapists and health care professionals from all over the country. Among the attendees who were interested in learning more about therapy for children with autism was a delegation from Chengdu Xi Nan Children’s Hospital (成都西南儿童医院) (see photo below).

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Physical Therapy for Children with Down Syndrome

2016-04-07 Olivia's Place Comments Off , ,
Olivia Chow (8), Inspiration for LIH Olivia's Place

Olivia Chow (8), Inspiration for LIH Olivia’s Place

Since 2012 World Down Syndrome Day has been observed annually on March 21st to raise awareness for one of the most common genetic conditions, affecting roughly one in every 1000 babies born per year. Abnormal cell division causing either a partial or full copy of chromosome 21 results in a wide range of developmental and intellectual delays as well as the characteristic facial features associated with Down syndrome.

Physical symptoms encountered with Down syndrome include low muscle tone, ligamentous laxity, short arms and legs, and decreased strength. These symptoms typically result in delayed achievement of developmental milestones including learning to sit, crawl, and walk. To acquire these basic movement skills children with Down syndrome have to overcome greater challenges than typically developing children. Particularly the symptoms of low muscle tone and ligamentous laxity impede with the development of early movement patterns, which normally occur in a predictable sequence. There is an increased risk for the development of abnormal compensatory movement patterns which can lead to functional and orthopedic problems if not addressed accordingly. A primary example is learning to walk. Children with Down syndrome typically adopt a walking pattern whereby they keep their feet wide apart, turned outward and their knees locked. This walking pattern provides more stability in the presence of low muscle tone and lax ligaments, however uses more energy and eventually may result in painful knees and feet. Physical therapists play an important role in the care of children with Down syndrome to minimize the development of such abnormal movement patterns and support optimal gross motor development.

Once children with Down syndrome have mastered walking, physical therapy continues to support gross motor development to maximize independence and participation with age-appropriate activities of daily living. In the presence of low muscle tone simple everyday tasks such as sitting and standing for periods of time can to quickly result in fatigue. In addition reduced balance skills and postural control, which are often associated with low muscle tone, can have a significant impact on other domains such as play- and self-care skills as well as functional skills required in the school setting. Regular physical therapy can help address such areas of weakness. Alternatively blocks of intensive therapy at developmentally critical periods might be appropriate to address impairments that are impacting the acquisition of new functional skills.

Despite achieving developmental milestones late, children with Down syndrome will mostly learn the same movement skills as typically developing children, just in their own time. A common misconception is that physical therapy for children with Down syndrome is targeted at speeding up gross motor development. Rather than speeding up development, physical therapy focuses on facilitating the appropriate sequence of milestones and the quality of the acquired movement skills while limiting compensatory movement strategies. Physical therapists support the motor development of children with Down syndrome from a very young age, including advocating for regular activity and healthy lifestyle habits. Due to high obesity rates among children with Down syndrome, often stemming from low physical activity levels and compounded by a physiological predisposition, it is important that healthy lifestyle habits are implemented from a young age to maximize health and quality of life in adulthood.

LIH Olivia’s Place has been providing therapy services for children with Down syndrome since the very beginning. Our company was originally founded to sure that Olivia Chow, a now 8-year-old girl with Down syndrome, as well as other children in China, received the care and support she needed. For more information, contact LIH Olivia’s Place at contactoliviasplace.lih.pub or (010) 6461-6283 (Beijing) (8621) 5404-0058 (Shanghai).


WCPT Accreditation Provides Pathway to Global Standard of Education

2016-02-26 Olivia's Place Comments Off , , , ,

Accreditation service provides a pathway to a global standard of education

This article was originally published by the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) in WCPT News, January 2016. It has been republished with permission. The original article may be viewed at www.wcpt.org/news/Accreditation-service-Jan15.

The World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) has accredited two physical therapy education programmes in China – a country where the profession is at its earliest stages of development – to ensure that they meet internationally agreed guidelines.

The Confederation’s accreditation service is designed to assess programmes in countries where higher education providers seek to meet world standards. Started in 2014, it now has a bank of 39 expert reviewers, and has also reviewed programmes in Spain and Malaysia. Review teams are currently assessing programmes in Lebanon and China, and enquiries have also been received from Cambodia, China, Colombia, Haiti, Hungary, Jordan, Mauritius, Mexico, Nepal and Pakistan.

The programmes already accredited in China say the process has been an important one for them. Education programmes for health professions other than doctors and nurses have been slow to develop in China, and it was not until the country won the bid for the 2008 Olympic Games that permission to establish the first physical therapy programme was granted.

“Our vision has been to establish a local physiotherapy programme that meets international standards,” said Lijuan Ao, Chairman of the Department of Rehabilitation Therapy of Kunming Medical University. “So we inevitably sought WCPT accreditation. Now we have it, it means our students should be able to gain a more global view.” Professor Ao said she hoped it might also lead to more students studying abroad and gaining employment opportunities.

With government investment, support from the Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine and advice from international experts, eleven entry-level education programmes for physical therapy have now been established in China, all modelled to some extent on WCPT’s guideline for physical therapist professional entry level education.

WCPT Vice President Margot Skinner was one of the reviewers for the first accredited Chinese programmes. “Helping China develop the physical therapy profession on the basis of international standards is a meaningful task and will significantly contribute to the health and welfare of nearly 1.4 billion people,” she said.

Margot Skinner is Chair of the WCPT Accreditation Committee, which advises the WCPT Executive Board on the accreditation service and the outcomes of reviews. Other members are: John Xerri de Caro, WCPT Executive Board member; Joan McMeeken, Professorial Fellow at the University of Melbourne, Australia; and Aimee Stewart, Associate Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.

“We want to ensure that the WCPT accreditation process for physical therapy programmes is rigorous, independent and transparent for those who use it,” says Margot Skinner. “WCPT has received many enquiries from countries where the profession is relatively young and where physical therapists are keen to ensure that, as the profession develops, education meets international standards. They believe that accreditation by WCPT, based on its policies and guidelines, will provide such an assurance.”

“The service is bound to develop over the years. We held a technical briefing about the service for member organisations before the 2015 General Meeting in Singapore, and the comments and feedback from that are being carefully considered by the Accreditation Committee, and will be fed into our planning.”

One of the programmes participating is at the Universidad Europea de Madrid in Spain. Beatriz Martínez, Director of Physical Therapy, says the university’s focus on quality means it has always been involved in different national and international accreditation processes.

“We have been teaching physical therapy since 1995. Having obtaining national accreditation a long time ago, we considered that our degree had to evolve and looked for an international accreditation to improve our quality standards according to international PT education guidelines. This is why we contacted WCPT to start the accreditation process.”

“We have been working together for nearly two years – first, to prepare all the documentation required and then last February the reviewers’ team spent two days with us and gave us very valuable feedback. Last August we were informed of the improvement areas we must apply to obtain accreditation. We have already implemented some of these and are now preparing a report to send to WCPT.”

“Throughout the process, there have been many learning opportunities for faculty and managers. Thanks to this accreditation process and the modifications suggested and applied, the quality of our physical therapy degree has improved a lot to meet the international guideline.”

The service provides an optional pathway for international recognition in addition to national programmes, or where a national system does not exist. It aims to contribute to the development of professional education internationally, leading to improved quality and availability of physical therapy services. “It also offers opportunities for more international collaboration for physical therapists,” said Margot Skinner.


Clinician Profile: Marc Innerhofer, Physiotherapist

2015-11-20 Olivia's Place Comments Off ,
Marc Innerhofer, Physiotherapist & Physical Therapy Lead (Beijing)

Marc Innerhofer, Physiotherapist & Physical Therapy Lead (Beijing)

Marc Innerhofer is a physiotherapist from Austria. He received his degree at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. Marc previously worked in a public hospital predominantly treating adults, but has since spent the last 3 years specializing in the field of pediatrics at LIH Oliva’s Place in Beijing. He has experience working with children with a variety of diagnoses including developmental delay, ADHD, developmental coordination disorder (DCD), autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Erb’s Palsy, and Down Syndrome. Marc regularly volunteers his time to various welfare centers and non-profit organizations, providing expertise and treating children with a wide arrange of disabilities. Marc works with children and families in English, Chinese, and German.

 

 

How long have you been in China?

I moved to China in February 2012. My original plan to study Chinese for a few months has turned into almost 4 years that I’ve now been living in Beijing.

 

Why did you choose to work at LIH Olivia’s Place?

I chose to work for LIH Olivia’s Place to pursue my goal of specializing in the field of pediatric physical therapy. Despite the somewhat precarious health standards in China, LIH Olivia’s Place offered a professional setting and framework, ensuring international recognition for the work experience and clinical skills I have developed while working here. At the same time I have been able to contribute to the company’s ongoing mission to improve the standard of rehabilitation and therapy in China.

 

Why did you choose your field?

I chose to study physical therapy after completing my mandatory social service in a center for children with cerebral palsy back in Austria, my home country. Being introduced to the field of disability and learning about the impact therapy can have on the quality of life of people with physical impairments was an eye-opening experience.

 

What are some of the most rewarding experiences you have had in your chose profession?

I’ve had a lot of opportunity to make meaningful changes by volunteering at local welfare centers, where large numbers of children with disabilities can be found. Improving the quality of life of the most disadvantaged part of the population has been one of the most rewarding experiences. LIH Olivia’s Place has continuously supported me with his endeavor.

 

What’s your favorite thing about living in China and working at LIH Olivia’s Place?

The fast pace and ever-changing social and physical landscape in China makes living here a daily adventure. The therapists at LIH Olivia’s Place embrace this attitude and it’s great to be part of a growing and dynamic team. No matter how complex the needs of a child might be, the close-knit team at LIH Olivia’s Place is always able to provide support and share their experience and expertise from different corners of the world.

 

What would you like to be doing in 5 years’ time?

I still see myself broadening my experience and honing my clinical skills. A very broad range of patient presentations has given me a strong foundation in the field of pediatric physical therapy. I hope to take my skills to the next level to keep up with current research and continuously improving treatment approaches that are emerging.


Building a Framework for China’s Therapists

2015-07-18 Olivia's Place Comments Off , , , , ,
Authored by April Gamble, Physical Therapist, Beijing, pictured here at the WCPT Congress 2015 in Singapore.

Authored by April Gamble, Physical Therapist, Beijing, pictured here at the WCPT Congress 2015 in Singapore.

I had the opportunity to represent Olivia’s Place at the World Confederation of Physical Therapy (WCPT) Congress 2015 in Singapore. The WCPT serves as an international voice of physical therapy and seeks to move the physical therapy profession forward around the globe. It was thrilling to engage with therapists at the Congress from all over the world. There was such an immense air of excitement that only occurs when you bring people together for development within a shared passion. The WCPT Congress was also an excellent opportunity to share via a presentation, our recent efforts in the development of a Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) Framework in the field of pediatric physical therapy.

The KSA Framework we have recently developed is made up of multiple documents to guide both locally trained and newly graduated physical therapists through a process of learning and developing their professional skills. We developed the KSA Framework based on current research, existing frameworks, and an extensive knowledge of China’s culture, training system, and educational needs. It will be used to support our mission of improving the standard of care in rehabilitation throughout China.

Lis Ringrose, Clinical Director and Physical Therapist, and April Gamble, Physical Therapist at Olivia’s Place, with the assistance and guidance of  Lisa Kenyon, Associate Professor of Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Grand Valley State University, Michigan (US), to ensure the content and approach are in keeping with international standards.

We are currently working on completing a KSA framework for pediatric occupational therapy and pediatric speech and language pathology. As well as using the frameworks internally with locally trained Chinese staff and newly graduated international staff, we are also making it available to individuals and organizations across China because we believe that the frameworks have the potential to facilitate improved care, which will positively influence the children and families of China.


Success and Celebration for 12-Year-Old in Beijing

2015-04-10 Olivia's Place, Physical Therapy Comments Off , , , ,
Liu Rui walking independently out of the front doors of BJURH with the use of his walker and lower leg braces.

Liu Rui walking independently out of the front doors of BJURH with the use of his walker and lower leg braces.

by April Gamble, DPT, Physical Therapist, Eliott's Corner

by April Gamble, DPT, Physical Therapist, Eliott’s Corner

Liu Rui, a 12-year-old boy, stands tall in the middle of the room, with his arms resting lightly on forearm crutches for support. Balloons, music, and cake indicate that this is a party. Liu Rui, his family, and his rehabilitation team have gathered to celebrate his achievements.   Liu Rui has a diagnosis of cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a condition one is born with and which impairs one’s ability to move. As of summer 2014, Liu Rui was spending the majority of the day in a wheelchair and he needed help from his family to dress and take care of his personal needs . Liu Rui’s family sought out physical therapy at Beijing United Rehabilitation Hospital (BJURH) in order to enhance his independence in walking and taking care of himself. Their hope was that rehabilitation would help him develop the skills to one day have the opportunity to live and work independently.   Therapists  from Eliott’s Corner collaborate with BJURH to provide children, including Liu Riu, the highest quality multidisciplinary therapy at the hospital. Our multidisciplinary team at BJURH involves the collaboration of pediatricians, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, and psychology. Liu Rui started physical therapy with the highly qualified, international team from Eliott’s Corner in July 2014 at BJURH. Liu Rui and his uncle committed to 2 hours of physical therapy, 5 days a week. This high intensity is not needed for all children with cerebral palsy or other difficulties, but was indicated in Liu Rui’s case. For Liu Rui, the goal of physical therapy was to improve his strength, balance, endurance, and coordination in order for him to gain independence in walking and other activities like dressing and bathing.   Liu Riu’s physical therapists from Eliott’s Corner developed a treatment plan for him, which included walking on a specialized treadmill and over the ground, leg and core strengthening exercises, balance activities, and functional tasks like climbing stairs. Every therapeutic activity was chosen specific to Lui Rui’s condition and to facilitate his functional independence. Liu Rui’s treatment plan also included aquatic therapy. In aquatic therapy, the physical therapist used the unique and motivating environment of the swimming pool to engage Liu Rui in activities to build strength and endurance.

Lui Rui works on his walking pattern and endurance on the specialized treadmill at BJURH with Physical Therapist Zili Wang.

Liu Rui works on his walking pattern and endurance on the specialized treadmill at BJURH with Zili Wang, PT.

Physical therapists tailor therapeutic activities to the needs of each child and family. For example, opportunities for play were included in each intervention to ensure Liu Rui actively engaged in each activity and remained motivated. One of Liu Rui’s favorite activities involved standing and reaching in all directions for balls and throwing them at towers of blocks. He often competed against his uncle to be the first to knock all of the blocks down. While Liu Rui focused on the game, he simultaneously was working on standing balance, strength, and endurance. This active engagement in interventions was a key factor in Liu Rui’s successful outcome.   It is also the role of the physical therapist to assist the child and family in attaining equipment appropriate for their needs. Lui Rui’s therapists worked with local suppliers in Beijing to provide Lui Rui with effective, custom fit lower leg braces and a rolling walker. With training and targeted therapeutic interventions Liu Rui was able to use the braces and walker to walk independently both at home and in the community. He even earned a “drivers license” for his walker by demonstrating to his therapists that he could use it independently for tasks like going up and down a curb and moving to and from a dining table.   Surrounding Liu Rui at his party in February 2015 were his physical therapists and administrative staff from BJURH and Eliott’s Corner,  and his BJURH pediatrician, Dr. Song Xiao Yan, MD. Dr. Song expressed gratitude to the Eliott’s Corner team, “ Thank you to your team so much for the great work of Liu Rui! We will make the ‘magic’ affect more kids in the future!”   Liu Rui’s uncle was also honored at the celebration. His uncle participated in most physical therapy sessions and supported Liu Rui by working with him on activities the therapists recommended at home. This was essential in achieving Liu Rui’s excellent progress. At the party, Liu Rui’s uncle shared that he is excited for Liu Rui’s next phase of life. His uncle expressed that with Liu Rui’s increased independence, the family is making plans for him to attend a mainstream school and that he looks forward to seeing Liu Rui make more friends his own age.


Physical Therapists Grow Skills Through Visiting Grand Valley State University Professor

2015-04-07 Olivia's Place Comments Off , , , , ,

In March 2015, Olivia’s Place had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Lisa Kenyon PT, DPT, PhD, PCS. Lisa is an Associate Professor of Physical Therapy at Grand Valley State University in Michigan, USA. She is a specialist in pediatric physical therapy and physical therapy education. Last winter, Lisa began partnering with Olivia’s Place in the development of a framework to provide educational advancement for Chinese trained therapists.

Participants of the regional Facilitating Movement in Children workshop at Beijing School for the Blind

Participants of the regional Facilitating Movement in Children workshop at Beijing School for the Blind

Lisa’s visit to China started at Kunming Medical University in Yunnan Province, where she provided three days of training to the university’s rehabilitation educators regarding the US accreditation system and clinical education. Dr. Ao Lijuan, Chair of the university’s Rehabilitation Medicine Department, said, “”Dr. Kenyon was remarkable. Her training was a huge help to all of the faculty and leaders from the rehabilitation education community in China who traveled from around China to hear her. The participants felt her training was vitally helpful to our efforts to advance the profession of physical therapy, set up new physical therapy degree programs and accreditation standards and systems for those programs, and to improve the quality of clinic education for physical therapists here.” Following her time in Kunming, Lisa noted, “Like physical therapist educators I have met from all over the world, the Chinese educators are strongly committed to providing the best education possible for their students so that their students can provide the best possible care to all patients.”

Lisa Kenyon demonstrates techniques to improve head control at Beijing Children's Hospital.

Lisa Kenyon demonstrates techniques to improve head control at Beijing Children’s Hospital.

Lisa also provided training to therapists at Olivia’s Place and Eliott’s Corner on current physical therapy practice in the neonatal intensive care unit and the development of clinical reasoning skills. Lis Ringrose, Clinical Director, reported, “It was great to have Lisa visit and help our clinicians keep up with latest therapy thinking and practice. As we look to working toward our mission of helping to further therapy in China, and we work more in training local therapists, it is vital that we work closely with experienced educators.”

Lisa Kenyon and April Gamble, PT at Eliott's Corner, with training participants at Beijing Children's Hospital.

Lisa Kenyon and April Gamble, PT at Eliott’s Corner, with training participants at Beijing Children’s Hospital.

In Beijing, Lisa also provided a workshop regarding the use of manual handling techniques in facilitating a child’s movement and function.This was hosted by the Beijing School for the Blind. Forty-five therapists, doctors, and teachers attended from schools, hospitals, childcare centers, and orphanages in the Beijing area. An American physical therapist currently practicing in Tianjin who attended the workshop reported that Lisa provided a training that was more valuable than a continuing education course she recently took in America. She highlighted that Lisa provided both theory and relevant application, which is essential if participants are going to incorporate new information into their work with children.

Finally, Lisa provided training at Beijing Children’s Hospital, with participation from about 50 therapists and doctors. She worked directly with three pediatric patients in order to demonstrate the role of physical therapy in spinal cord injury, encephalitis, and coma. Dr. Fang Fang, Chair of the Neurology department at the hospital, stated that the training helped the hospital team further recognize the role of rehabilitation in improving a child’s function in a variety of conditions and diagnoses.

Dr. Han,Beijing Chidren's Hospital (2nd from left), reviews a brain MRI with Lisa and therapists from Eliott's Corner to discuss the role of physical therapy in the child's treatment plan.

Dr. Han,Beijing Chidren’s Hospital (2nd from left), reviews a brain MRI with Lisa and therapists from Eliott’s Corner to
discuss the role of physical therapy in the child’s treatment plan.

Lisa summarized her experience in China with, “I have developed a heart for China and see hope for a future that includes the availability of high quality therapy services for children in China. I look forward to the opportunity to partner with the therapists and staff at Olivia’s Place as they focus on their mission to improve the standard of care for the children in China who have special needs.”


Olivia’s Place Speaks at Xinhua Hospital Conference

2014-10-07 Olivia's Place Comments Off , , , , , ,

 

Lis Ringrose, Physiotherapist and Olivia's Place Clinical Director, speaks on 24 Hour Postural Care at Xinhua Hospital.

Lis Ringrose, Physiotherapist and Olivia’s Place Clinical Director, speaks on 24 Hour Postural Care at Xinhua Hospital.

 

Anna Tan Pascual, Lead Occupational Therapist, provides a demonstration for participants.

Anna Tan Pascual, Lead Occupational Therapist, provides a demonstration for participants.

Olivia’s Place has been honored to receive a number of invitations of late to speak at academic conferences and training events around China. In September, Dr. Du Qing, the Chief Physician of Shanghai’s renowned Xinhua Hospital, invited Lis Ringrose, Clinical Director/Physiotherapist, and Anna Tan Pascual, Lead Occupational Therapist (Shanghai), and Nelson Chow, Founder/President to speak at a conference on rehabilitation medicine at Xinhua. Nelson shared with experts from all over China about the mission of Olivia’s Place and work we have been doing to help build up the fields of pediatric therapy in China. Lis spoke about 24 hour postural management and Anna spoke about evaluation and treatment of upper limbs for children.  We are delighted to have these opportunities to fulfill our mission of bringing high quality pediatric therapy to China.


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